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MISSOULA
TOOL LIBRARY
MUD's Tool Library lends tools and offers hands-on workshops in
home, garden and auto maintenance. We have all types of tools—power
tools, hand tools, a woodworking shop, an apple press, a rototiller,
an 8- horse power chipper shredder—you  name
it! Click here for hours and rental information.
 The
Tool Library's Self-Reliant
Living Classes teach basic techniques in organic gardening
and landscaping, basic construction, and home improvement skills.
SUSTAINABLE
LIVING DEMONSTRATION SITE
At
MUD's Demonstration Site, visitors can see examples of "green"
building construction, organic gardening, composting, native plant
landscaping, energy-efficient features for the home, use of salvaged
materials, solar panel installations, wheelchair accessible gardens,
and more. Come by and see us during our open hours: Monday-Thursday,
9am-5pm.
Greywater System at the Demonstration site
Missoula Urban Demonstration Project hosted the installation of a new
greywater system by the Greywater Guerrillas on Sunday, November 11th.
The system will distribute water used in the 1st-floor bathtub. Its most
visible component is a large, gravel-filled stock trough beside the back
steps--soon to be filled with cattails and other beautiful wetland
plants!
MUD's greywater system combines a number of elements to increase its
flexibilty, cold-weather capability, and ease of water monitoring.
- Sewer diversion valve: Directly after draining from the tub, the water
encounters a 3-way valve; here, system users can choose whether to
direct the water to the sewer, or outside. Diversion to sewer allows
flexibility in case of a long freeze, or when using non-biocompatible
body products (like hair dye or bleach).
- Surge tank: Greywater destined for irrigation flows through a surge
tank, a 30-gallon barrel located under the steps that regulates flow
into the wetland. Greywater is not stored, but flows out the bottom of
the tank.
- Constructed gravel wetland: Water directed outside can enter the
wetland, where it will be treated by gravel-colonizing microorganisms
and by plants. Pathogens, dirt, and soap are taken out of the water,
rendering it safe for release into a sump (winter) or for irrigation.
- Direct greywater irrigation: In summer, almost all the water can be
diverted to bypass the wetland (it just needs enough to keep the plants
alive) and enter subsurface distribution pipes. The current plan allows
for the watering of the apple tree and a small flower bed, but can
easily be altered to meet future needs.
- Inline sampling valves: Both inflow and outflow pipes are equipped with
valves to allow the sampling of water before and after treatment by the
wetland. This monitoring will provide important data toward the
development of greywater treatment strategies in this climate.
The Greywater Guerrillas thank MUD for hosting the installation, Home
Resource for the donation of parts, and all workshop participants for
their eager digging and great plumbing spirit!
MUD's system is designed to comply with the greywater best practices
incorporated into Arizona and New Mexico's greywater codes--the codes
that Montana's soon-to-be-implemented greywater law is modeled on. These
best practices include the option to divert greywater to the sewer, a
surge tank to regulate flows, and subsurface infiltration into the top
9" of soil, the "root zone" where most microorganisms that break down
greywater reside. The system incorporates cold-climate strategies
developed by John Todd in Vermont.
To contact Greywater Guerillas, visit: www.greywaterguerrillas.com
 COFFEE-TO-COMPOST
SERVICE
This
program involves volunteer bicyclists who collect 450 gallons of
coffee grounds a month from local bakeries, delis, and coffee shops
and transport them to the garden compost pile. As the grounds' acidity
is largely removed during the brewing process, coffee grounds are
an excellent nitrogen source, and help produce rich compost. To
volunteer call 721-7513.
 SUSTAINABLE
NEIGHBORHOODS
MUD
recently received a grant from the Thanksgiving Fund for community
sustainability outreach. Efforts will focus on a pilot project--the
Rattlesnake Gateway Redevelopment--to assist proactive people in
achieving their sustainable community vision through creating and
cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships with neighborhood businesses,
churches, schools, organizations, and residents.
The
City Repair Project has successfully done these types of projects
in Portland, OR. Visit their website for inspiration, or borrow their DVD from MUD. Here is a cool online
discussion list for getting City Repair-type groups and projects
started.
MISSOULA
GREEN MAP
Are you finding it a struggle to live sustainably? Maybe you need a SUPERGUIDE to all the sustainable resources and places that Missoula offers! The Missoula Green Map was created by MUD with the help of many volunteers and sponsorship by Portico Real Estate.
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