November 19, 2010, 02:19 AM Daily Journal Staff Report
San Mateo residents who want to install graywater recycling systems in their single- and two-family homes can now do it without first obtaining a building permit from the city.
The San Mateo City Council voted unanimously Monday to drop the need for securing building permits in constructing graywater recycling systems that take water from washing machines, for instance, and re-uses it for irrigating trees and plants in the resident’s yard.
The decision was made as the council adopted the 2010 California Plumbing Code.
The council wants to encourage residents to conserve water and help make San Mateo a more sustainable community.
“The implementation of graywater recycling for our city residents was a priority for my first year in office, and I’m proud that our city staff worked diligently to listen to the requests of our residents to help them find ways to conserve water,” said Councilman David Lim.
Graywater recycling, which is water reclaimed from home appliances, can be reused in landscaped areas of home to help conserve drinking water, reduce energy costs to homeowners and help reduce overall water consumption.
Effective immediately, the plumbing code does not require a permit for clotheswasher and one single-fixture system water systems.
“A lot of the hassle of installing a graywater system just went away,” said Lim. “That is good for the homeowner, good for the city and good for the environment.”
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