Build a Basic Grey Water Filter System- Part 1


The grey water filter system was hatched from a late night fix of a blocked, groundwater pipe. This pipe, which has been in use for 30 years, was 3″ in diameter and made from PVC. It’s job was to move ground water from the front of the cabin (uphill) and empty to the back (downhill). Found out It was plugged up with dirt and ice from a cold snap. The plug had occurred at the section where the ABS greywater/sink pipe intersects with the PVC ground water pipe. Lucky for me, the 3″ PVC pipe was not cracked and the Y connector had just wiggled loose. The only set back was that the ABS drain pipe was firmly connected to the Y connector of the PVC pipe. It made it next to impossible to remove the Y connector, clean the joint and re-apply the PVC glue. So, I decided to re-root the ABS and plumb in a separate direction. The best bet was to run it parallel with the 3″ PVC, through the back wall, underground for 20 feet, to a small 5 gallon water bucket. The bucket would be filled with gravel and the soapy water would flow into it and slow disperse into the ground. The gravel should function as a basic filter system. In time, the plan is to upgrade this basic system. It was just something whipped up in a few hours and get us through the winter.