TECHNICAL
53
SABS publishes standard
that sets guidelines for
domestic use of greywater
By SABS
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has published a
South African National Standard (SANS) that sets the guidelines
and requirements for greywater reuse systems. SANS 1732:
2019 provides for single re-use of greywater for sub-surface
irrigation of gardens and the treatment of greywater for
flushing toilets.
“In a water scarce South Africa, SANS 1732
provides basic requirements and guidelines for
ordinary households to safely reuse water. Most
households cannot afford to install sophisticated
and expensive water treatment or collection
applications and SANS 1732 offers practical
solutions to reuse water from baths, showers
and wash hand basins for watering gardens
or flushing toilets. The reuse of untreated
greywater will significantly reduce the demand
on constrained water resources and enable South
Africans to contribute towards reducing water
consumption,” says Garth Strachan, Acting CEO
of SABS.
SANS 1732: Greywater Reuse Systems – General
Requirements, was locally developed over several
months through a technical committee (TC 60), made
up of a group of industry experts and specialists.
Various reviews of international standards; South
African needs and development goals; a focus on the
safety of people and environment concerns were some
of the criteria that was taken into account through the
development process.
“Reusing and repurposing greywater promotes the
conservation of water, without compromising public
health and the environment. While there are additional
standards which guide industries and the built
environment on the installation and use of greywater,
SANS 1732 was developed with the focus on allowing
every household to practically adopt basic greywater
management,’ says Strachan.
February 2020 Volume 25 I Number 12
Garth Strachan, Acting CEO of SABS.
Before a standard is published, it undergoes a period of
public scrutiny where the comments of the public are
taken into consideration. The standard is available for
purchase via the SABS webstore, which can be accessed
via www.sabs.co.za. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za