greywater plan | Greywater Action

Hi. What a cool and informative resource here! Please someone direct me to any answers if already posted. My interest/need follows: I’m planning on bringing a tiny home to my single family property in southern Maine to live in, then rent my home for cheap to needy folks or family. I’m told since there was a replacement system installed before I moved here 20 years ago (still works fine), but I would need an additional septic system for an additional dwelling (even though I have a 3 bedroom house a 4 bedroom system and am only one person here..but them the rules). I my laundry water also goes out to a pipe in the yard, probably non-conforming from years ago. So I’m thinking I may just use a compost toilet and deal with grey water. I first thought I may be able to just have a greywater tank (that I do have) and water my trees and flowers once a week, or maybe just empty into my home toilet or sewer drain. But now I’m led to believe I will need a greywater disposal plan for sink and shower water from a tiny home, oh well. Could someone tell me what that may entail. I mean do I have to have the same soil eval and HHE-200 form as I’d need for a septic system…was told it would cost $700-1000 for that, then another $10-15k for the system & install which is not something I can or wish to do at this time, financially or practically…i.e., a second septic system would mean much of my property would be septic field:) So what might I expect to have to pay for an assessment and plan for just grey water from my tiny home..direct into yard or to tanks that I could empty every week or two into a system or can I empty into my home toilet or sewer…as well as the range of cost for a system. I’m pretty handy and would be glad to do as much myself, perhaps with a plumber friend, as I’m able to. And if anyone knows of a eco-minded greywater planner/designer in Maine, maybe let me know too. Thanks and be well, Rick

Greywater reuse- general greywater plan greywater system tiny home

Rick Alleva asked 1 year ago

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Answers (2)

Hi Rick,

It sounds like what you need to do will be totally dependent on what the officials will allow. I’m guessing the simpler options for a system won’t be allowed. Perhaps you could ask if you’d be able to have a tank, like an RV does, that is emptied out by an outside company? (Or allow you to do it, like you mentioned.) Or, ask them for an example of what they are requiring you to do.

I don’t know of any designers in Maine personally. With a little searching around you could probably find off-grid buildings and reach out and ask how they managed their greywater. Like maybe here? https://mainehuts.org/discover/experience/grid

I wish you the best of luck with your system!

Laura answered 1 year ago

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Thanks for your reply,

Seems like Maine not as water friendly as folks think, as many places imply you can use to flush toilets or water trees/flowers. I think that a costly soil evaluation, and somewhat costly grey water disposal system would be required. Can’t imagine why one can’t just put use to flush a toilet in my home, but I imagine the town would say an extra dwelling (tiny home) requires an additional system, even though I’m 1 person here with a 4 bedroom septic on my property. I do have a nice Rhino tank, but hire an outside company to drain every week or two, not likely. I will investigate further, but seems so silly and un-water friendly as we are talking very eco-friendly grey water with nothing bad in it at all.