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Greywater
Last modified: September 23, 2009 - 11:57 AM
Turning Your Greywater Green
In the search for practical sustainable urban solutions social, environmental and health variables need to be considered in making the right choices. This is of significance when considering the re-use of greywater. This type of recycled water mainly comes from laundry basins, baths and showers. Other sources may contain contaminants not suitable for re-use without treatment, such as oils, and therefore have restrictions on there use. The use of kitchen water is detrimental to greywater systems as it contains fat and bacteria requiring treatment through the sewer system. There are three ways to recycle household greywater:
- Direct Diversion devices, which can be used for sub-surface irrigation.
- Storage and Treatment of greywater which requires an approved Department of Health system with its installation requiring council approval. This is an expensive process but it does allow the water to be stored, used in irrigation or to flush toilets.
- Back to basics with direct bucketing.
Direct diversion devices, are simple systems that take greywater from selected greywater providers to water gardens and lawn areas. Note that the contaminants in these waters can be easily regulated through the choice of detergents used. Garden friendly detergents are biodegradable and are low in phosphorus, sodium, boron and chlorides, with non-storage surge reduction systems installed to reduced sudden flows. Even with these precautions plant and soil responses to greywater needed to be monitored. Use of mulches, rest periods and occasional irrigation of areas with drinking water will flush built up contaminants and help maintain soil health. Native gardens have low tolerance to phosphorus, which is an environmental pollutant causing algal blooms in water bodies. Also the alkaline nature of detergents is detrimental to soil fauna and inhibits the intake of minerals into plant systems. You can check the composition of detergents at www.lanfaxlabs.com.au to help in your choices. As a home gardener you cannot use all your excess water without impacting soil quality. By using what you need you are able to reduce your water use and retain a healthy garden through periods of drought. A good greywater system is well labelled and maintained, with weekly cleaning of filters and monitoring of greywater impacts. Ph levels, smells, soil saturation and the abundance of soil microfauna are all good indicators of soil health. The use of greywater is for garden health and used when needed. Your garden is not a filter therefore excess greywater or greywater containing harsh cleaners and disinfectants are to be diverted into the sewer system for treatment. Council approval is not a requirement for certified direct diversion greywater systems, with a WaterMark Licence. Although there are guidelines in there application and it is recommended that they be installed by a registered plumber for efficiency of future use. The accreditation of WaterMark licences can be checked through the NSW Department of Health www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publichealth/environment/water/accreditation. Rebates available for sustainable water use and efficiency are linked to the Residential Rebate Program www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates, With up to $1500 for rainwater tanks. For a full comprehensive guide on greywater recycling please refer to the NSW Guidelines for Greywater Reuse in Sewered, Single Household Residential Premises on www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au. Additional information can also be found on the Dept Environment & Climate Change www.environment.nsw.gov.au and the Sustainable Gardening Australia www.sgaonline.org.au web sites.
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