Three Port Diverter Valves

The only systems I design without diverter valves are for the simplest homes which don't have a septic or sewer to divert to.

Three way valves work better than the alternatives (two ball valves, movable pipe sections...) in that their proper operation is more obvious, and that they don't clog as readily.

One-Inch Three Port Ball Valve for Washing Machines

This high quality brass three port valve is recommended for laundry-only systems, in particular, the Laundry to Landscape system. One-inch female pipe thread.

$47 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 1" (brass)

3-port ball valve Kitz model 54P-100

Three way valve installed

Three Port Diverter Valve for 1.5" or 2" House Plumbing

gray water diverter valve These three port valves are the greywater industry standard. Besides being well-made, lifetime-lubricated, and guaranteed never to leak or break, they have the huge advantage that you can unscrew the face plate and turn it to make any of the three ports the "inlet."

The face plate can also be removed for cleaning out the valve or to snake any clog nearby.

They last a long time. We suggest you use no hub connectors or glue them with silicone sealer so they can be reused if you want to change the geometry of your plumbing in the future.

The valves can be operated remotely and/or automatically with a motor actuator (we don't handle these; they are quite expensive).

Each valve fits two pipe sizes; one on the inside and one on the outside of the hubs. The larger valve is recommended for two inch pipe.

$59 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 1.5-2" (plastic)

$59 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 2" (plastic)

Motor Drives: Our understanding is that 3-way valves from Pentair, Jandy, and Waterways are compatible with eachother's motor drives. We don't sell motor drives because they are too expensive. These valves are Pentair Part number 263026 for 2"/ 2.5" valve and Pentair Part number 263035 for 1.5/2" valve.

Why you shouldn't buy these plastic valves (or anything made of PVC, for that matter)

The plastic diverter valves above are the best solution currently available for greywater diversion in 1.5 or 2" pipe. However, they are made of PVC, a bad plastic.

Before clicking the "buy" button, make sure your system is designed to use as little resources as possible in its use and maintenance, including using as little plastic, as little bad plastic, and as few valves as possible.

The typical system uses at most three of these valves, one for the kitchen sink (yes, this this is legal only in Arizona so far, but the rules will catch up elsewhere before the house falls down), and one for the rest of the plumbing, and a one-inch brass valve from the laundry.

Note: the amount of extra plastic in the 2/ 2.5" valve is only very slightly more than in the 1.5/2" valve. The valve body is identical, it's just the hubs that are bigger. So, there isn't much ecological reason to avoid them.

Why are we offering these if they are made of bad plastic? Well, they are the least of evils in many contexts that have conventional plumbing (which, in the West, is actually ABS, slightly better than PVC).

It is possible to make greywater valves of a better material (and a better design). If you or someone you know has a plastics manufacturing plant, please contact us for a design for better valves. The minute there is a more ecological valve, we'll drop these.

Also, consider that the whole idea of diverting greywater "elsewhere" is suspect. If it is too toxic to put on your garden, where exactly is it OK to put it? A more fundamental solution is to not buy anything that can't go on the garden, then put it all on the garden full time; no diverter valves.

For a way to accomplish this and avoid 90% of the plastic and all the PVC use in a system, check out our information on Radical Plumbing inThe New Create an Oasis with Grey Water (book).

Information on the evils of PVC

A list of reports and resources on the hazard of PVC on besafe.net

PVC: A Health Hazard From Production through Disposal by Paul Goettlich

Greenpeace's stance on PVC

Blue Vinyl movie & trailer

Three Way Diverter Valves

For Greywater Systems

Three way diverter valves are recommended for greywater systems:

One-Inch Three Port Ball Valve for Washing Machines

Three Port Diverter Valve for 1.5" or 2" House Plumbing

Why you shouldn't buy these plastic valves (or anything made of PVC, for that matter)

Information on the evils of PVC