“Whole House” Graywater Reuse

Whole House Gray-Water Reuse System, which uses shower, tub, steambath, Vertispa and clothes washer water to flush the toilets. Photo by K+BB Green

Florida Dep, UCF & students complete green roof at Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome. Four leaf clovers may be green, but they may not be as green as the ‘genetically tolerant’ and ‘drought tolerant’ 100% native enviroscape plants for the green roofs at Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE).

Flaunting indigenous plants from Maple Street Natives like coastal verbena, dotted horsemint and muhly grass on the green roofs, beautifully outlined by Trex decking with almost 100% recycled content, FSGE is sure to please future visitors with the beauty and sensibility of these choices—especially with foliage that promises to use little to no pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers or water.

Florida State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and UCF have joined forces to complete Florida’s first innovative, integrated water reuse system at FSGE.

A special thanks goes to DEP for their financial and technical support through their Research Grant from the Bureau of Watershed Management, and to Eric Livingston of DEP for his guidance and time in this unique project. With Florida’s first “whole house” BRAC graywater reuse system, KBI FlexiTM-Pave for groundwater recharge and flood and runoff mitigation, Englert metal roof and gutters for capturing the highest quantity and quality rainwater, American Standard and Mr. Steam water conservation measures, 5 green roof areas, Resource Recovery’s 4500-gallon cistern solution, a bioswale for cistern overflow, enviroscaping the green roofs and entire lot, advanced irrigation technologies with up to 60% water savings, etc., FSGE’s stormwater management project certainly goes beyond simple rainwater harvesting.

And it’s no wonder DEP is working with UCF, the 6 th largest university in the U.S., known for providing education and research on stormwater management to protect and enhance valuable surface and groundwater supplies for present and future generations. Having more than 38 years of unparalleled experience in stormwater management design and implementation, Dr. Wanielista is an invaluable resource to other states in the U.S. as well as governments throughout the world. So many have relied upon Dr. Wanielista’s expertise and research for solving some of the most challenging stormwater pollution issues of today—and one of the biggest issues is stormwater runoff.

Runoff is never conveyed to the local city water treatment plant. Rather it travels to our local rivers and oceans with a possible stopgap of most likely newer stormwater ponds helping to improve water quality. Residential runoff accounts for the largest, uncontrolled source of water pollution in the country, especially in areas with larger annual rainfall volumes. FSGE, as a Near Zero-Runoff HomeTM, will help educate others on the importance of green roofs in mitigating toxic runoff.

Residential runoff can contain: metal filings from brake pads, motor oil, harsh cleaning chemicals to wash our homes and vehicles, synthetic and highly toxic pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and herbicides, unmanaged pet waste, and lawn clippings that clog stormwater conveyance systems. In a mere 9-month storm event in Florida, which registers at 1.6 inches of rain, a homeowner with 2000 sq.ft. of “non-pervious” areas (roof, concrete driveways and walkways, etc.) will generate 2000 gallons of toxic runoff. How many gallons of polluted runoff does your home add to our local rivers and oceans?

With increased urbanization comes increased development and increased runoff. As one of the fastest growing states in the U.S., Florida needs to lead by example, and FSGE, with the help of DEP and UCF, via one year of scheduled walkthroughs open to the public at no charge plans to do just that.

Source: Mark Baker, LLC: Press Release