Plumbing question: Drain line for sink in detached garage

[woodsman]

I'm in the planning stage of building a detached garage in my backyard near the alley. I'm going to plumb a commercial sink inside it for cleaning fish.

Will I be required to tie the drain line into the main sewer line running to the alley? The garage will be built on the end of my driveway, so it would be easier to just run a drain line to the alley.

This is practically no different than me filleting fish and washing the blood off the driveway. Will just be passing through a sink first. But my instincts say the city will frown on this, even though it's just gray water. Although I suppose a future owner might assume it's connected to the sewer and pour something in the sink that's not intended to run into the alley. May have just answered my own question, but appreciate any input on the matter.

Muchas gracias.

[tex4k]

You can run any "grey" (sinks-showers-washers) out to use as irrigation, just nothing from the toilets, unless there is some city ordinance against it. I would run a line to the nearest tree or flower bed before I ran it down the alley. I'm not real big on asking the city or anyone else what I can/cannot do on my property, I'm more of a if you catch me-then we'll discuss it kind of guy. If it's running down the alley, next thing you know some old nosey silver hair from two streets over will start complaining, then we all know what happens next.

[woodsman]

Thanks Tex4k. Good to know that running grey water on the ground should be a generally accepted practice. I don't expect anyone to notice too much because it'll pretty much be mostly water.

I am paranoid about a home inspector making a stink about it to a potential homebuyer. I want my home and property to be safe and function properly, but in like you--I'd rather leave the city out of it if possible.

[merlin]

Your paranoia is warranted. You should tie it in with your existing sewer line rather than paying another tap fee

[twobittxn]

You can run any "grey" (sinks-showers-washers) out to use as irrigation, just nothing from the toilets, unless there is some city ordinance against it. I would run a line to the nearest tree or flower bed before I ran it down the alley. I'm not real big on asking the city or anyone else what I can/cannot do on my property, I'm more of a if you catch me-then we'll discuss it kind of guy. If it's running down the alley, next thing you know some old nosey silver hair from two streets over will start complaining, then we all know what happens next.

Running it down the alley is a federal clean water act violation because it is grey water going into a storm drain.

Yes, you can drain it onto your own property as long as it stays on your property.

Some cities have a strong storm water enforcement program, others don't.

[tex4k]

[QUOTE=twobittxn;10946947]Running it down the alley is a federal clean water act violation because it is grey water going into a storm

This I wasn't aware of but isn't it great, all the crud that washes down the streets and parking lots, along with the industrial mess but our benevolent government can't allow a little soapy water.

[woodsman]

Thank each of you for your input, this is helpful. Yeah it doesn't really make sense. By this standard, water from the garden hose is considered grey water and should stay in the yard. Sheesh.

[twobittxn]

Yeah it doesn't really make sense. By this standard, water from the garden hose is considered grey water and should stay in the yard.

No. Water from the hose is potable and can go down the alley all day long.
Irrigation runoff is also permitted to go into storm drain. As soon as you contaminate the water with something like fish guts, then it becomes grey water and must be disposed of properly.

There is a very strong push to protect water resources. Some cities are even trying to crack down on landscaping crews blowing leaf and grass litter into the storm drains. This silts in our lakes and causes other issues.

[woodsman]

No. Water from the hose is potable and can go down the alley all day long.
Irrigation runoff is also permitted to go into storm drain. As soon as you contaminate the water with something like fish guts, then it becomes grey water and must be disposed of properly.

There is a very strong push to protect water resources. Some cities are even trying to crack down on landscaping crews blowing leaf and grass litter into the storm drains. This silts in our lakes and causes other issues.

Yeah I see what you are saying. We have 2 dogs. There is plenty of organic matter that my water hose potentially forces into the alley. I think I've even seen city PSAs requesting that residents pick up there pet fecal matter for this very reason. Just saying it could all be classified as Grey water as soon as it hits the ground. Shoot, black water for that matter.

Kinda of grey area huh