42 HEALTH AND SANITATION
Water Research Commission
researching grey water
harvesting
By
Eamonn Ryan
As a result of a growing awareness of a need for change in the
management and use of water, grey water is increasingly seen as
a viable alternative source of water for a range of 'fit for purpose'
end-uses.
The website Greywater Use defines it as follows:
“Greywater is gently used water from your bathroom
sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not
water that has come into contact with faeces, either
from the toilet or from washing diapers.”
By reusing grey water in a responsible manner, the demand
for potable water may be drastically reduced. This ties in
with the South African government’s demand for a reduction
in freshwater usage and thereby water savings. Grey water
utilisation is one method government recommends to create
massive water savings in the home. It is estimated that up
to 50% of all household potable water is used for garden
irrigation purposes.
Approximately 120l of bath water and 80l from a shower
flows down the drain needlessly. Burgess Plumbing’s website
says: “You are paying for water going down the drain where
you could be using this grey water to irrigate your garden,
saving you a portion of your water account. Another use is
for flushing of toilets and it can be plumbed back into the
main water supply that feeds the toilets only.”
There are a variety of systems that can be installed by
plumbers suited to need, whether a home or business.
Grey water systems are already commonly used in many
countries – particularly in the US and Australia, where
for many years for they have been used for garden and
Grounded Landscaping
Grey water is most commonly used for watering gardens.
www.plumbingafrica.co.za @plumbingonline @plumbingonline @PlumbingAfricaOnline August 2020 Volume 26 I Number 06