Greywater, Rainwater Catchment, Earthworks Tour at the EcoHouse

Turn your house and yard into a water saving site with greywater systems, rainwater catchment, earthworks, and appropriate landscaping choices. You'll learn about the greywater system at the EcoHouse, the first permitted residential constructed wetland/greywater system in the State of California and the first greywater system in Berkeley to be permitted. We will discuss the principles and process of safely irrigating with shower, bathroom sink, and laundry waste water and include a presentation of greywater design and the application process. We'll cover the basics of how to collect rainwater from your house and store it in cisterns or directly in your garden. Earthworks such as berms, basins, french drains, swales and diversion drains can also help offset your need for irrigation and minimize your water use in the summer as well as build soil fertility and stabilize soils. Return home with ideas and plans of your own! EcoHouse co-founder Babak Tondre leads the tour. Tondre coordinated the design and build of the projects on this tour. Please specify when registering if ASL interpretation is requested, (at least 10 working days in advance). This workshop is not wheelchair accessible. Space is limited. Pre-registration by 5pm on Friday, April 27 ensures a spot.