Grey water is defined as water from baths, showers, hand basins and clothes washing machines or the laundry.  Any water from any other source   ( toilet water,  kitchen and bidet’s) is considered black water, and must be allowed to proceed to the sewer, and be treated by some sort of sewerage treatment works.

Grey water is the biggest contributor to wastage of water and though knowledge of this very useful source is growing generally this knowledge is still woeful. In this form at best 33% of water consumed in the home is normally thrown away, and at worst is perhaps 50%.  It is preposterous that any municipality allows this precious source of good water to be thrown away.  Grey water is very useful for two purposes, re-used for toilet flushing or for irrigation purposes.

There are several rules for the re-use of grey water and the four most important are:

1. Thou shalt not store grey water:  This is the first law and may not be changed: the problem is that grey water has temperature and food value for anaerobic bacteria to breed and produce methane and hydrogen sulphide, the stuff that smells so badly.  Any talk of a “tank” into which grey water is fed and used for any purpose whatsoever is simply not possible. Any “tank” will build up sludge, and this is quite unacceptable.
2. Do not let grey water pool:  sending water to flood irrigate gardens on a regular basis means that a bacteria will clog the soil, preventing penetration of water into the soil, that needs to be overcome by some sort of cultivation Read the full story

Water Rhapsody are the leaders in Grey Water and Rainwater Harvesting systems in South Africa. With 15 years of experience and over 3000 installations, Water Rhapsody are expanding throughout Southern Africa. The company’s flagship is its grey water (or greywater) recycling system which can save up to 50% of municipal water bills.

Please see the flash animated Product demonstration for further information.