Tom Foley

For some reason I had a brain fart there :0 kind of hard to give an answer if you do not have the fact Zip code 80808, Calhan CO is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a: -20F to -15F. Using updated climate data through 2010, 80808 is in the Plantmaps Hardiness Zone 5b: -15F to -10F. The average first frost in 80808 is between September 21 - 31, while the average last frost occurs between May 21 - 31. 80808 is part of Ecoregion 26j - Foothill Grasslands. 80808 averages 1 - 7 days per year where the temperatue exceeds 86°F. The average annual high temperature in 80808 is 61°F and the average annual low temperature is 30°F. The average high temperature in July (Summer) is 81°F, while the average high temperature in January (Winter) is 41°F.
The area is pretty flat, the Walipini will have a North South orientation with about 1'foot or so at the lowest end above ground roof will be 2 layers of 4 mill plastic Semi Transparent with apx 3/4" dead air space. The door will be home made with 1/2" plywood and 3/4' Styrofoam insulation and sealed as much as possible to prevent drafts. of course I am open to any suggestions or more questions on my project.

How big of a Rocket Heater would I need to heat a 20'x20'X6' Walipini? As I am in the planning stages?

Gilbert Fritz wrote:Hello Jennifer,

Thanks for the answer.

For hypothetical situation like my own, I can't see any other way of going about it. (Greywater is illegal here in Colorado; but I want to design a greywater system in, so that when/if it becomes legal, it is already a functional part of my design.)

I would want to water annual vegetables, since they are the most water hungry part of the design. Raw greywater can't really do that.

I don't always have to water; we can get two inch downpours, and not have to water a well designed landscape for a few weeks. So I would want to store rain and grey water in a gravel filled pond, for dry periods. This climate has HUGE extremes of all sorts, and a main part of my design is to even them all out. Raw greywater can't be stored, except in the soil. And a fairly clayey soil basin being supplied with greywater just before a two inch downpour seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

Any other method of using it would be complicated and expensive (underground distribution) or have a potential ick factor for fussy neighbors. And if that potential was converted to reality just once— I would be in trouble.

Finally, I would want the whole of my small lot stuffed with edibles in every layer; thus the danger of raw greywater in a mulch basin touching edible leaves and fruits.

As far as volume, the system is being designed for a household of eight on a smallish lot.

And due to the current illegality of greywater, I don't know of anyone who has a functioning system.

Are you confusing Grey water with Black water (Sewage) Grey water can be used in Colorado but you may not store it per say Water in Colorado can only be used once so if you wash your clothes in it you can not water your plants with it. However if you want to dig a trench and run it by your plants that is acceptable if you trench just so happens to go in to a sump but is allowed to seep out that is also acceptable. I know it is a play on words but that is the legal system for you! So long as if someone should ask you just say you are not directly watering plant with it you are ok. Also Cesspools are legal in CO. or now called On-site Wastewater Treatment! If you want to say it is a Natural Filtration system you can use that term too!