Rules of grey water

There are several rules that should be followed when using grey water:

1  -  Do not store grey water: This is the first and most important rule. The problem with storing grey water  is that it has temperature and food value which allows anaerobic bacteria to breed and produce methane and hydrogen sulphide, this is the stuff that smells so badly. Any talk of a tank into which grey water is fed and stored for any purpose whatsoever is simply not possible as the tank will build up sludge, this is unacceptable and quite frankly unappealing. Grey water must be used as quickly as possible.

2  -  Do not let grey water pool: regular “flood irrigation” of gardens with grey water allows bad bacteria to clog the soil,  preventing the water from penetrating the soil. This bacteria build up can only be overcome through some sort of cultivation.

3  -  Grey water must be sprayed under very low pressure: with the average sprinkler, this means not exceeding 6 metres of  spray coverage, which will prevent any atomizing of the sprayed water particles. Grey water contains bacteria of many types, and the droplets of water must land on the soil, and not float downwind to be breathed in. Grey water is dirty water and may not be fed into any irrigation system (this includes drip irrigation and mist sprays) because all automated irrigation systems require clean water and high pressure.

4  -  Use the right washing powders: One of the most important aspect to the re-use of grey water for irrigation purposes is which washing powder to use. The use of any phosphate rich washing powder will poison your soil over the long term. There are phosphate free washing powders on the market, and these must be used. We’d be happy to point you in the right direction.

Back to… Grey Water Home

On to… 1 – What is grey water ?

On to… 3 – Grey Water FAQ’s