Systems
for Conservation
and Re-use.
Meet the family.
The greater Alternate Water family includes: Graywater, Rainwater, Stormwater, and Reclaimed Water (treated Blackwater).
Achieve an impact.
Shift the delicate balance of water scarcity issues facing us today. Reduce freshwater use and the negative impacts of wastewater disposal on environmental health of local aquifers, waterways and soil biology.
Focus on efficiency.
Improper designs won’t save water. New advances in control and distribution systems can increase irrigation efficiency astronomically while at the same time facilitating the integrated management of multiple water sources.
"The most affordable, climate-specific solution to water issues in most Mediterranean ecosystems, providing a year-round water supply with the smallest footprint and the fewest upfront costs… Gray water systems should be a first step to water conservation and reuse.”
— Brent Bucknum, Ecological Engineer
Photo above: The first permitted graywater system in the town of Sonoma, CA. An ALT Water System design/build.
What is “alternate” water ?
Graywater
(Also spelled “Greywater”)is the water that drains from showers, baths, washing machines and bathroom sinks and accounts for almost half of all water used indoors. Instead of being sent to the sewer, graywater can be recovered and reused for irrigating gardens and trees. Unlike the wastewater from toilets and kitchen sinks which is known as blackwater, Graywater is legally allowed to be reused as long as it is distributed sub-surface and follows several other simple guidelines.
Rainwater.
Rainwater can be collected from roofs, decks and other large catchment areas and redirected for storage for irrigation, groundwater recharge, and even indoor domestic use (with proper treatment/disinfection). Rainwater catchment is one of the simplest and oldest methods of self-supply of water for households, and can be stored in deep aquifers, ponds, and tanks of all kinds.
Stormwater.
Stormwater is precipitation (rain/snow) that has reached the ground and either infiltrates into the soil, is stored in ponds and streams, evaporates, or runs off. Potential stormwater catchment areas include man made surfaces such as roads and parking lots, and other sub-urban environments such as parks and playing fields.
Reclaimed water.
Reclaimed water (or “recycled water”) is wastewater (ie. Blackwater and/or Graywater) that has passed through a regulated wastewater treatment system including rigorous filtration and treatment process steps such as screening, primary settling, aerobic biological treatment, tertiary treatment (ie. reverse osmosis), and disinfection (ie. UV light, Chemical additives) before being able to be re-used for applications ranging from above ground irrigation (ie. sprinklers) all the way to direct potable re-use.
Water conservation.
Water use-efficiency programs make new water available that would’ve otherwise been wasted and thus are seen as another new “source” of water. The average household in the United States loses 17.8 Gallons to leaks every day (13% of total indoor use) equal to 11,440 gallons per year of wasted water that should be redirected for beneficial use.
Alternate waters.
There are many other alternate waters including “Blow-down water” drained from equipment to remove mineral build-up(ie in cooling towers and central boilers), and “Condensate water” which collects in significant volumes onto the cooling surfaces of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Most alternate water sources are non-potable (unsuitable for human consumption) but can be used for applications such as irrigation.
Alternate water can substitute for freshwater in applications not requiring treated drinking water.
Irrigation is draining us dry.
In the densely populated environments of seasonally dry climates such as California, outdoor water used for irrigation accounts for almost half of all water used, and globally, agriculture accounts for around 70% of all water withdrawals from freshwater.
Consider a practical solution.
Use the water we already have much more efficiently. Alternate water use systems give us a practical and beneficial solution to water supply issues facing us today.
“Achieves an un precedented 77% reduction in actual landscape water use compared to a normal home.”
—
-
- An ALT Water design/build.
Photo: The first permitted Graywater system in Larkspur, CA
This native turfgrass lawn irrigated with a sub-surface Graywater drip system reduces household water use by almost 40,000 gallons annually.
Why alternate water?
Save water.
Lower your potable water use for irrigation by replacing it with alternate water.
Do the right thing.
Green design is good design, alternate water is a free resource that can and should be reused.
Stay prepared.
Have a reliable water source for irrigation during a drought or emergency.
Be efficient.
Reduce unnecessary flows to wastewater treatment plants and septic systems, and return vital nutrients to the soil
Theres all the right reasons
for
Alternate
Water
ALT Water
Systems for Conservation and Re-use
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