Supervisors Adopt Waste Water Law
The County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an ordinance that would allow homes with septic systems to use waste water from washing machines and bathtubs for irrigation.
If given final approval next Tuesday, the law also would allow homes served by sewers to use the so-called “gray water” for irrigation during declared water emergencies such as the one last summer.
The ordinance applies only to unincorporated areas of the county but will be presented to cities for consideration, said Gary Stephany, the county’s deputy director for environmental health services.
Because of the estimated $3,000 to $10,000 cost of installing required underground piping, as few as 50 homeowners may take advantage of the new ordinance, according to a report to the supervisors.
During severe drought in Santa Barbara County, only 35 systems were installed in three years, Stephany said.
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