Greywater Design and Installation Course for Installers

Graduates of installer's course

Graduates of installer’s course

This five day course is designed for people with either basic plumbing, landscaping, or permaculture skills who want to learn how to design and build simple, economical residential greywater systems.

You will learn about the theory behind simple and high-end systems including the indoor use of greywater. We’ll cover basic plumbing and landscaping skills needed for the most common four types of greywater systems. You will learn how to conduct a site assessment, determine which system to install and how to maintain existing systems. Additionally you’ll learn about what plants do best with greywater and the do’s and don’t of residential greywater reuse. By the end of the course you will know about proper installation of code compliant washing machine, and simple systems under the CA state code. (We will cover codes from other states for out-of-state participants.)

There will be an optional exam and installation for people wishing to be certified and listed on our website.

Cost: Typically $650 with limited work-trade positions available.

Next course: We hold this course once or twice a year. Please check the calendar or sign up on our mailing list if you’d like to be notified of the next course.

What past participants have to say:

My favorite part of the course were the instructors, which I found incredibly knowledgeable and well prepared. I really liked the balance between the lecture and hands-on exercises. As someone who has designed and taught career educational classes, I think this course was designed masterfully and worthy of emulation. Instructing adult learners from a wide variety of levels is not easy. –Dorsey Moore- Principal- Sustainability for All

I really loved it all, it was a great balance of classroom hands-on stuff. The instructors were admirably prepared and incredibly generous. I really appreciate the balance of theory and practice. -Leigh Jerrard- owner of Greywater Corps and architect

Awesome experience, highly recommend it and I admire you both. My favorite parts were the exercises, the groups and the final project because it really showed we had learned. Having it set up this way is genius. Deva Luna- landscape contractor and Designer/Manager at EarthCare Landscaping

The 5 day installer course was amazing! The teachers were both very patient and knowledgeable…. I found it very reassuring that the instructors were teaching systems that they had personally installed. They knew what worked and what didn’t from experience. It was neat to meet such a variety of people in the class such as landscapers, other plumbers and people that just wanted to install their own greywater systems in their own homes… I have gone from being a residential plumber to installing greywater systems and rain harvesting systems full time. I still refer to the useful handout binder that I received during the course when installing a greywater system. I felt very confident installing even the very first system I did on my own. – Brian Munson – plumber

Overview of the Course

Day 1

  • img_5562Integrated design and greywater reuse
  • Greywater overview:
    • Greywater guidelines
    •  Low tech and high tech greywater options
    •  Environmental and public health concerns
    •  Pros, cons, and costs of common systems
    • Landscape considerations
    • Site assessments
    • Products and greywater
    • Laundry greywater systems

    Day 2

    • img_4397Greywater system design
    • Requirements for code compliant systems in CA
    • Laundry to landscape construction
    • Attaching a 3-way valve
    • Connecting greywater irrigation tubing
    • Mulch basin construction
    • Soils and percolation
    • Finding soil type
    • Conducting a soil percolation test
    • Irrigation
    • How to calculate plant water requirements
    • Beneficial plants
    • Client interview and site assessment

    Day 3

    • Install a Laundry-to-landscape System!

    img_4964img_5191img_5176

    Day 4

      • Codes, regulations and permits.

        img_4085

      • Common errors and system failures
      • Pumped greywater systems
      • Manufactured systems and emerging technologies

    Day 5

    • Plumbing basics
    • Drainage plumbing
    • 3-way valves- how to connect them and change their orientation
    • Materials and fittings
    • How to install an actuator (electronic motor)
    • Exam (optional)

    Also,

    • Install a branched drain system
    • Install an actuator

img_5225img_5206