Is Gray water okay for plants?

The News & Observer of North Carolina reports that since the drought has gone on for so long now, it is okay to use gray water to water your pansies and grass. The leftover water from washing your dishes and your car is okay to re-use. However, piping water from your bathtub or shower is still against the law and considered a health risk.

They used to claim that re-using any gray water was illegal and a threat to public safety. But when you can’t get it naturally, then you have to adapt to new ways.

"If water's clean enough to bathe your child in or wash your dishes in, it should be clean enough to put on your flowers," said Bill Ross, secretary of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Water has been on the minds of our southeastern friends a lot since last years drought turned into this years drought and now they have to get serious about conservation efforts.

The Southeast's worst drought in more than a century is forcing parched states and communities into crisis measures to conserve water and fight for more. The entire region is accustomed to plentiful rain from tropical storms and hurricanes but they are about to enter their second straight year of drought.

Small towns in North Carolina have already had to suffer from shuttered car washes and outdoor watering is completely banned in Atlanta. Georgia's top water official, environmental Commissioner Carol Couch, says industrial and commercial water users very likely will have to make "across-the-board reductions" next.

Maybe they can follow North Carolina’s example.

Now is a good time to learn about the alternative substances to replace the more toxic cleaners and chemicals around the house. Items such as vinegar, baking soda, borax, and ammonia.

Those of us who camp have known about environmentally friendly soaps for years, so now would be a good time to break it out of your backpacks and camping supplies and throw out your other not so friendly soaps.

Here’s a site that offers some examples of ways to stay clean and green with environmentally friendly soaps.

Oh, and if I were you I'd keep that gray water away from my vegetables and fruits.