Hi gardeners
If I were to water my vegie patch with the shower water do you think they'd taste of soap? I think could maybe could get away with it but if I used washing machine water then surely it would taste bad (but might have pleasant smelling breath tho)

Paul

I have read somewere that shower and washing machine  water is OK for most plants(we use it) but the chemicals in the soap can inhibit fruit growth on toms,peppers,aubergines etc( it is probably worth checking up on that though).I woudn't have thought the dirty water would taint the flavour after all farmers spray cow,chicken and horse muck on the fields.

Hi Paul, Ive looked in to grey water use and its all about distribution of the greywater to suitable plants and trees at suitable levels. There is really only one book on the subject which I bought and own the link follows for Amazon.com although I bought mine direct from the authors website.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Create-Oasis-Greywater-Choosing/dp/0964343398/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207079546&sr=8-1

This guy knows his stuff and it pays to get it early in your finca renovation as the most important comodity for installing a simple and cheap branched grey water distribution system is the fall of your land, ie gradient.  He doesnt waste  your money on fancy systems and contraptions and although a little tedious at times its an excellent practical book. It will answer all your questions. PS My copy is not for sale.WoO. I hope this helps  :)  

Nobbys remark is also spot on, as  grey water from washing machine and showers contain high phosphate levels which encourage lucious leaf growth but can subdue flowering and thus friut growth. Hence the need to usually direct large amounts of grey water to suitable large trees  using the brached drain system so as to not overpower them. and fail to fruit ! .

All learnt from the book  ;)

Make sure you put in a grease trap if you are thinking of using kitchen waste water, and don't put your washing machine or sink water down your septic tank as it will kill the bugs and then your bio digestor tank won't work properly