This article is written from an Australian perspective but the grey water facts are relevant to many countries. Remember never to store grey water in tanks for longer than 24 hours as potentially harmful bacteria and other microorganisms could begin to multiply in the water tanks. Greywater should preferably be used instantaneously if you want to use it as untreated garden irrigation water.
Saving water at home is most commonly associated with the old bucket-in-the-shower trick. But domestic water recycling has come a long way in recent times.
In fact, grey water re-use holds great potential to help you gain greater control over your utility bill and demonstrate your commitment to the environment and sustainability.
So what this grey water caper and is it worth considering for your property?
‘Grey water’ is simply the waste water from your shower, bath, spa, hand basis, laundry or washing machine.
Any water that’s been through your taps, washing machine or bath is ‘grey water’.
Once seen purely as waste, grey water is now being embraced as a source of additional, unrestricted water for the garden, toilet and clothes washing.
The water from your the kitchen sink and toilet is so heavily loaded with organic matter, fats and chemicals that it’s called ‘black water’ – it’s not suitable for re-use around the home or garden.
Around the home and garden, recycled grey water can be used for many things, such as:
At home
Around the garden
Recycled water can’t be distributed directly onto the lawn or garden.
Generally speaking though, it’s not recommended that you pipe grey water directly onto your lawn or garden. In some states, such as NSW, it’s actually illegal.
Grey water use reduces the household’s need for fresh water.
Because there’s less reliance on fresh water, your water bill will decrease. It’s been estimated that just over half of total household water could be recycled as greywater, potentially saving hundreds of litres of water per day**.
It also has broader community benefits in that it reduces demand on the public water supply – this can be a real relief during times of water restrictions.
Grey water reduces the amount of waste-water entering sewers or on-site treatment systems.
Domestic water is literally flushed down the drain in most homes.
Obviously there’s still a saving to the homeowner here, but again, society benefits because less resources are wasted having to filter, treat and transfer sewerage, while rivers, creeks and oceans are kept cleaner.
Using untreated or under-treated grey water on the garden may be relatively cheap and easy, but can be risky because it:
Regulations on grey water re-use differ in each state, and council to council, so check with your local council or state Environmental Protection Agency before commencing this journey.
You’ll also need council approval to install a grey water treatment system (and the application itself will be an additional cost). Some grey water treatment manufacturers may be able help you through the approval process, as it’s a relatively new phenomenon for many local councils. But in order to obtain council approval, you’ll need to call in a licensed plumber for proper installation.
There are two main options for grey water re-use:
Grey water use is not affected by water restrictions; you are free to use as much as you like, whenever you like.
The best option for you will depend on how much grey water you produce, the size of your garden, and your budget.
This is when grey water is diverted directly to your garden or lawn using a licensed piping system.
You can divert water for underground irrigation.
It’s an affordable option but it has its limitations.
These are some of the restrictions:
A domestic grey water system collects, stores and then treats (or even disinfects) grey water.
Grey water recycling systems collect, store and treat water before use.
Different systems treat the water to varying levels of purity and hygiene. For instance, some treatment systems will only allow you to directly water your garden, while some allow you to re-use the water for toilet flushing and in washing machines.
Setting yourself up for grey water re-use is expensive thanks to the initial set-up costs, and long-term maintenance.
Installing a diversion system is likely to cost you around $1000-$2000, while a grey water treatment system can cost between $10,000 – 15,000. So for many, the upsides to grey water recycling has to be viewed in terms of its long-term cost-benefit.
The value of a grey water treatment system will be balanced out over the long-term due its high cost.
For some, a viable alternative may be a rainwater recycling system. For others, especially those that live drought-affected parts of the country or those that have to rely on rainwater for household water supply, a grey water treatment system could provide a lot of assistance, as well as savings.
Installing a grey water treatment system will definitely reduce how much water you use (especially if teamed up with a decent-sized rain water tank) and reduce the amount of water going into the sewerage system.
While it won’t necessarily save you much money due to the high initial outlay compared to what you pay for water generally, for many this will be irrelevant – peace of mind isn’t something you can set a dollar value on.
The information in this article is for general interest and is not intended as advice. Consult an experienced professional and be sure to contact your state Department of Health and Environment for a list of approved grey water treatment systems.
Source: Realestate.com.au (By Caroline Bruckner)
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