Tax Credits for Graywater Irrigation

The California Legislature has been introduced to a bill which would give individuals a credit toward their personal income taxes for installation of a graywater irrigation system. The bill, entitled AB1132, was introduced by Assembly Member Tom Berryhill of the 25th District, who oversees a large agricultural area in Central California.

This would be great for California!

Entering into one of the driest and hottest summers on record, it doesn't take much to realize that water will be in high demand. Utilizing graywater for irrigation benefits everyone; it's a perfect way to conserve this precious resource, and at the same time, keep our landscaping green.

The bill would be effective immediately; authorizing a tax credit for a percentage of any cost incurred, or paid for, in the installation of a graywater irrigation system for taxable years beginning January 1, 2007, and before January 1, 2021. Please join us in supporting the passage of this bill by contacting the State Assembly, and you too can say we do it green!

What is Graywater

Graywater is wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, clothes washing machines and laundry tubs.

Graywater does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks, photo labs sinks, dishwashers, laundry water from soiled diapers, and of course, toilets; those are considered "Black Water".

Why Use Graywater?

• An average family (3.2 persons) home discharges over 40,000 gallons of graywater.
• Irrigation using graywater is more efficient than sprinklers and eliminates overspray
• Soil breaks down the organics in graywater and creates food for your grass, flowers and trees.
• Underground irrigation eliminates runoff, one of the leading causes of water pollution in the Western United States.
• Graywater reduces water costs associated with landscaping.
• Shampoo in graywater loosens, or aerates, the soil and allows for better percolation.
• Graywater uses less energy by eliminating excess pumping.

How To Use Graywater

Graywater irrigation is diverted from the main wastewater lines within your home and collected in either a surge tank, or to a point a few feet from the house. It should be installed concurrently with the landscaping for best results.

Graywater irrigation systems are required to be permitted and inspected by the local administrative authority.

A soils test may be required to determine the amount of graywater that can be absorbed into the ground at any one time.

A mini leech field, or surgetank, must be designed based on the soils test and the amount of graywater produced daily.