Seeking creative ideas for double sink

[MikeT]

Free is a good price.  I got an entire 10 year old set of matching appliances from someone here in town that was doing a remodel.  One of the things that came with it was a cast iron double sink with high quality faucets.

Here's the deal:  The sink is set up for a disposal (that came as one of the appliances) on one side.  I have a holding tank and macerator and pump to get my waste/effluent up to the septic tank, so I do not want to encourage food scraps, etc to go down the drain(s).   

The question:  Other than simply connecting the two drains together (either above or below a P trap), can you think of an interesting way to set up the drain?  I was thinking of making one for holding gray water.

Just looking for interesting, sustainable  ideas.

Thanks,
mt

[MountainDon]

Each of the 2 bowls could be set up with separate traps and separate piping; one to the septic, the other to the gray water system. The only thing that could affect that choice would be local code, local inspectors.

[glenn kangiser]

My thought would be that the people using it would somehow have to know the difference also - Labeling?

[MikeT]

I would most definitely label the two or create some indication of the order of preferred usage.  I was thinking of creating a wooden cover/cutting board for one side (likely the gray water) such that one could get some additional value from having the two sides.

Again, just trying to maximize what I have....

More thoughts?

mt

[JRR]

The food disposal unit could be romoved and the larger dia drain hole can be reduced in dia to match the other side. 

I dunno about a new scheme, ... both sides being used for the old "soap & soak in one side, and rinse in the other" function is a pretty handy way to clean up the dishes.

[MountainDon]

The food disposal unit could be removed and the larger dia drain hole can be reduced in dia to match the other side. 

That what I mean; just needs a new drain assembly, "cup" or whatever it's called.

[Redoverfarm]

Just wondering what advantage you would have by splitting up the sink.  Just run both to the grey line. Can't see the advantage of running a seperate to the septic.

[ScottA]

Kitchen sink water is not grey water. It needs to go to the septic. Food particals and grease in the water will go septic and grow bacteria.

The term you're looking for is basket strainer, Don.

[glenn kangiser]

Is a grease trap effective, Scott- a sort of small septic tank?

[ScottA]

It might help Glen but you're taking a health risk if you use the water on the surface for plant watering. Also keep in mind that even if you don't get sick run off can travel to lakes and streams. Black water should be treated in a septic tank and leach field.

[CREATIVE1]

Well, you asked for creative ideas--so here goes.

(Probably after the inspectors leave)  Depending on what stuff you run down the disposal, why couldn't you use it as compost?  If wouldn't go into the septic system at all, maybe just into a container that you could easily take outside.

[MikeT]

I was thinking of a way to conserve water, perhaps, by having a toggle of some sort that allows one to run cold water that isn't going to be tainted into a holding tank (for watering house plants, etc).  I was indeed wary, like Scott pointed out, of using water that was used to rinse of dishes, etc for other purposes.  I was simply trying to see if there was something creative I could do with the piping for the extra sink. 

I was originally planning on getting a single bowled sink, but this nice one came along, and I am simply trying to think about the uses.

mt

[glenn kangiser]

Thanks, Scott.

[MountainDon]

The laws regarding water from a kitchen sink are murky in places. Colorado does not specifically prohibit the use of kitchen water in a gray system, the last time I looked. AZ, CA and NM have prohibited kitchen water as gray in the past. There has been a movement afoot to allow it to be used as gray with some sort of prefiltering. I have no idea where that sits currently.

In 2 years of using a hole in the ground (well drained pumice). lined with a plastic barrel full of holes we have not noticed any odors or other problems. The RV dumps the shower, bath and kitchen sinks into this "system".

Oh, one of the gotchas that CO tosses into their rules, is the requirement that all gray water systems be designed by an engineer. When I checked in the past I've run into a similar roadblock here in NM. They state that the Environmental Dept must approve each system.

You haven't stated if this is to be a legal installation, or not, Mike.  Personally I feel that the danger from kitchen waste is overblown. I'd be more worried about water from washing baby diapers.

[glenn kangiser]

We had a grease trap in Oregon at my mom and dads, for years - no one got sick or died.

Here we clean all of the major stuff off the plates and pans - heat and clean the pans with a paper towel if greasy and burn it then wash the pans to minimize grease.  The water runs into a patch of gras and trees - does not show in about 2 feet from the point of dispersion and there is never an unpleasant smell from it.  Neighbors was done the same way when permitted before and no problem.   He suggested it and was a Doctor and health nut. 

For motivations, keep in mind that the new proposed solutions are expensive and moneymakers for industry and taxing and inspection agencies.  That is why they finance and promote studies.

Not saying you don't have a point, Scott.  Just saying that you may be being led by them a bit.  I always value your opinions as well as those of Daddymem who would be right there with you on this. 

[ScottA]

I have cut open kitchen sink lines and dedicated kitchen septics and they are often black and foul as any septic I've seen. It has alot to do with the habits of the occupants some people pour grease directly down the drain. Others scrape their dishes before washing so it depends. I was always taught that grey water comes from a clothes washer or lavatory sink only. We have done systems that used grey water to irrigate lawns and that's the only waste water we where allowed to use.