Disney Institute gardening specialist Joanne Pecoraro joins hosts Mayita Dinos and Dan Pawlus to share tips on using gray water. Gray water is used household water which has been reclaimed (99.9 percent bacteria-free) or recycled. Joanne explains that most of Disney's irrigation system uses gray water. The sole exception: fresh water runs through the spigots in public areas in case a visitor should happen to drink from one. Many residential communities also use their recycled water for irrigation, but residents of areas who don't employ this practice can re-use their own household gray water by following these tips:
- Before turning on the shower in the morning place a bucket under the showerhead. This will provide a way to collect the cold water that usually runs down the drain while the shower water is heating. Once the running water has reached the desired temperature, simply remove the bucket and set aside to use for watering plants. (Bath water can also be utilized for this purpose if phosphate soaps are used.)
- To collect the water that runs out of the air conditioner attach a rigid non-flexible extension pipe to the unit's hose to create a personal irrigation system.
- Since gray water is not drinkable, use it only on ornamental plants, not on vegetables or other edible plants. Gray water can sometimes be used to irrigate the roots of edible plants, but never apply it to the leaves or fruit.
Guests Joanne Pecoraro
Gardening Specialist, Disney Institute
1960 N. Magnolia Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32832
Phone: 470-827-4212
Toll Free Phone: 800-496-6337
Fax: 407-827-4036
URL:
www.disneyinstitute.com
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