Implementing a gray water system at home can be a great way to reduce potable water use and save money on your bill. A gray water system collects wastewater, such as from laundry machines, bathtubs, and showers and diverts the water from the sewer system towards other beneficial uses.

Gray water can be used for watering trees, shrubs, and some other plants. Gray water systems would not use wastewater from toilets or kitchen sinks.

Laundry to landscape systems

One of the most common residential gray water systems is laundry to landscape. The laundry to landscape system diverts water from your washing machine directly to your landscape.
As a do-it-yourself project, the laundry to landscape system can typically be installed for less than $300.

The City of Carlsbad does not require a special permit to install a laundry to landscape system, but you must comply with the California Plumbing Code. For any plumbing modifications, a Carlsbad building permit may be required. The County of San Diego has gray water design resources for unincorporated areas that may be informative. 

Protecting our ocean and lagoons

Gray water cannot drain or flow to the storm water system.

Gray water systems cannot be designed with any connection to the storm water system. The storm water system includes landscape drains, storm water BMPs (e.g. filtration basins), swales, driveways, curbs, and gutters.

For more questions about possible drainage into the stormwater system, call the Storm Water Hotline at 442-339-2799.

View this video from our neighbors at Olivenhain Municipal Water District to learn more or call us at 442-339-2722 with any questions.