Do-It-Yourself Laundry to Landscape Graywater Workshop in Sonoma Valley, Oct. 13-14

If you're looking for even more ways to conserve water (and who isn't) -- or you'd really, really (really) like to add a garden or landscaping but don't want to run more water, we wanted to let you know about a Do-It-Yourself Laundry to Landscape Graywater Workshop coming up in Sonoma. It's happening October 13-14 (Saturday and Sunday), and it's free to Sonoma Valley Residents.

Sponsored by the City of Sonoma's Water Conservation Program, the workshop is designed to teach you everything you need to know to transform your washing machine into a wondrous irrigation system for your yard.

Even though the workshop is free of charge, registration is still required - and space is limited so register today to reserve your spot!

http://sonomagraywaterworkshop.eventbrite.com/

Here are more details on the workshop:

READY TO GO GRAY?

Graywater that is. It's a perfectly wonderful, untapped resource that's easily and legally diverted to your garden, where it will make things flourish! Transition Sonoma Valley, in partnership with Daily Acts, the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Ecology Center, is hosting a do-it-yourself, laundry-to-landscape workshop October 13 and 14.

During this weekend workshop you will learn about and install a system in your home.

You're a perfect candidate for this workshop if you:

• have a washing machine and a garden, and are ready for a do-it-yourself project
• have a washing machine and a garden, and a neighbor, friend or family member that will assist in installing a graywater system
• are interested in learning and can assist with an installation, but don't have an appropriate location for a system
• would like to save thousands of gallons of water a year and learn a new & easy way to make that washing machine do more than clean your clothes!



DETAILS

Who: Sonoma Valley residents that want to learn everything they need to know to install a laundry-to-landscape graywater system (Residents of other cities are welcome to join the training and volunteer with installations)

Why: You'll feel incredibly empowered after this hands-on weekend workshop and immediately reap the benefits of saving thousands of gallons of water, reducing irrigation demands and saving loads of time and money!

What: The first day is a full-day classroom-style lecture where you’ll learn plant selection, system design and plumbing skills to safely and confidently direct water from your washing machine to your landscape. Day two is a flexible, hands-on day where volunteers will be matched with a site, and Sonoma Valley residents will spearhead their graywater transformations at home. It will all be guided by our experts who will ensure proper code compliance, answer questions and offer helpful techniques to help you achieve your water saving goals. By the end of the weekend we’ll have collectively installed over twenty greywater systems complying with the new California state code adopted in fall of 2009. Let the graywater flow with gusto!

Materials and Tools: Each system will require a prescibed list of materials and some needed tools. Materials will be determined in advance during the site visits and will be available on the classroom day. City of Sonoma water customers will be provided the materials at no cost. (You will need access to some basic tools to do this installation. A suggested list can be found on the workshop webpage.)

For non City of Sonoma water customers, the materials will cost approximately $100 - $150. (The City is welcoming donations and sponsorships to offset these costs. If you would like to contribute, please contact Melinda Kelley.)

After you register you'll be contacted to discuss details and to schedule a site visit.

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Need more information? Contact Melinda Kelle at melbelkel@aol.com or (707) 938-7378.

And you can visit the www.trasitionsonomavalley.org web page for full details and links to more info.