How do I create a nature shower?

LeeAnn
by LeeAnn

I want to add a nature shower to my yard. Where I'm putting it is up against the house. So I only need to put up two walls of sorts. I would like to be in control of the runoff. 1. Would a French drain do the trick or should I put a small grate in and run a small pipeline? Either one would be aimed downhill and away from the house. 2. Can I use the runoff to water plants?

  5 answers
  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Feb 05, 2019

    We have an outdoor shower and we just have the cement sloped away for the house and on to the grass. We live on an island and the water just percolates down into the ground.

    We use our shower to rinse off the sand from the beach, we don't use any soaps. If you're planning on using soap, shampoo, etc, I don't know how good it would be for your plants.

  • Jill Ron Pike Jill Ron Pike on Feb 05, 2019

    Yes, you can use the runoff for plants, as long as you don't use soaps or shampoos that contain toxic ingredients. Either drain you're planning should work. If you're able to build some type of reservoir container for the runoff water, that would simplify things.

  • Dfm Dfm on Feb 05, 2019

    check with your city/county/state codes....they vary from location to location. what is ok for me to do may not be okay for you.

  • Kc Kc on Feb 05, 2019

    If (and it's a big if) you have the ok of your local city/ county officials, use biodegradable soaps and let the runoff water your plants.

    The problem with traditional building codes is they don't allow grey water runoff. Also, new environmental regulations can be equally difficult to work around. It would be advantageous to follow code because... grey water stinks....so if this shower will be used alot be prepared.


    • See 1 previous
    • Kc Kc on Feb 06, 2019

      I know Dr Bronner's brands and lots of camping soaps are biodegradable. I would check Amazon or Walmart for others.

  • Rose Broadway Rose Broadway on Feb 06, 2019

    Here are videos of several different types of outdoor showers, LeeAnn.

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=outdoor+shower+ideas