1. Divert first when unsafe
Send flow to the approved sewer or septic path if water surfaces, runs off, smells strongly, reaches people or buildings, or the system condition is unknown. Keep children and animals away from the affected area.
2. Confirm the source event
Measure the current appliance or fixture volume. A new washer cycle, higher occupancy or changed routine can overload a layout that previously appeared balanced.
3. Check source quality changes
Review detergents, bleach, salts, cleaners, oils and other products. Source composition can affect plants, soil and maintenance even when water volume has not changed.
4. Inspect the diversion path
Confirm valve position, labeling, accessible cleanouts and unobstructed backup drainage. Do not open energized equipment or dismantle pressurized or contaminated piping without qualified precautions.
5. Compare outlets
Observe one controlled event. One weak outlet suggests a local restriction or elevation imbalance; all weak outlets suggest a source, valve, pump or main distribution problem.
6. Investigate ponding and runoff
Compare delivered event volume with basin void capacity, infiltration and recent rain. Reduce or redirect the event; do not solve ponding by allowing surface discharge.
7. Investigate odor
Long residence time, trapped solids, inaccessible filters, anaerobic conditions or prohibited storage can contribute. Divert, avoid contact and obtain local or qualified public-health/plumbing guidance.
8. Investigate plant stress
Check overwatering, underwatering, salt or boron exposure, seasonal dormancy, unsuitable source products and root-zone distribution. Plant symptoms do not establish human-health safety.
9. Recommission
After correction, measure the same source event, verify each outlet and inspect the area after the entered drain-down window. Record the change and maintenance trigger.
Worked example
Four outlets once received a 60 L laundry event evenly. One basin now ponds while the others remain dry. Divert the next load, inspect the affected branch and basin, then recommission with a measured event instead of increasing pump pressure or enlarging every outlet.
Sources
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — Graywater Design Manual
- Washington State Department of Health — Greywater Reuse
- Australian Government — Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling