Ucodegen, That was a great photo and project. Thanks.
PW,
A well requires a permit which is typically denied if there is a water utility. subdivisions below a couple of acres density almost always have infrastructure requirements and therefore zoning won’t allow wells.
In any case a 6″ well, which is the residential standard was around $13 a per foot of depth. Well drillers customarily place a 4″ plastic pipe sleeve in the well which cost another $5-$6
per foot. Some drillers say this is not necessary. There are a few other cost and details but that will cover most of it.
I have a well and my water bill is a small part of electricty costs, which for my house are $50-$60 a month. I water about 20 trees and various gardens but no lawn.It is 300ft deep and cost 5K. I did all the mechanical work such as setting up the pump and storage and pressure boosting system whihc otherwise could easily run another 10-15k with contractor.
A properly installed grey water system should be safe. I think airborne hepatitis spores are the biggest concern. Usually, earth cover is 18 inches but there are concerns that erosion or poor maintenance would jeopardize that. I think I read that even on a properly functioning septic system(black water) the anaerobic effects have neutralized health threats in just the first few inches away from the leach lines. There is a concern about ground water contamination too. Large distances from wells and water courses are required.
Mostly we are talking about drain fields which are anaerobic systems but there are also aerobic systems that allow for the treated water, both grey and black to be sprayed above ground for irrigation. The set ups are moderately complicated take up space in the yard and require several times a year inspections and maintenance. This might be what you are seeing FLU. Not really sure if it is happening in California and if so probably in commercial or highway landscaping zones. On a smaller residential scale you have cost benefit issues when sewer is already available at the curb. So you are either seeing conventional grey water leach fields, or water from a treatment plant piped in or an onsite aerobic system.
I have one septic system at my house and am digging on for the second house now. This is not set up for irrigation. It is a very simple anaerobic black water system.
