SUSTAINABILITY
Greywater
Systems
An Effective Watering Resource
I
n times of drought or water restrictions, greywater
systems are an excellent way to keep your garden looking
great, which will add to the aesthetic appeal of your
home when you decide to sell, says Adrian Goslett, Regional
Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
“One of the areas in the home that takes a vast amount of
water to maintain is the garden. In fact, statistically South
African homeowners consume between 30% and 50% of
their household water usage on maintaining their gardens,
the reason that watering gardens with municipal drinking
water is currently prohibited in the Western Cape,” says
Goslett. “Homeowners with established gardens they want
to maintain during restriction periods will need to find
alternate watering methods, such as using water that would
normally flow down the drain.”
Grey water is waste water from baths, showers, sinks,
and appliances such as the washing machine or dishwasher.
It does not include water from either the toilet system or
kitchen water, as the fat content can be harmful to plants.
With the average daily water consumption per person
around 100 litres, a family of four could use as much as 144
000 litres every year, most of which will end up down the
drain. That is a vast amount of water that could be redirected
and used to maintain a garden.
“While some people might be worried that the soaps
in the water could have a negative effect on their plants,
experts from Grey Water Systems in Cape Town say that
the residues and soaps in their diluted quantities actually
provide useful sulphates and nitrates that are more beneficial
than using water straight from the tap. That said, they say it
is advisable to use biodegradable products in your washing
machine,” says Goslett.
Bacteria is another concern that some people have with
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THE ULTIMATE PROPERTY INVESTMENT RESIDENTIAL GUIDEBOOK
using grey water; however, if the water is used within 24
hours there is no need for concern at all. Using it within
a day will also ensure that it smells good when you use it.
Another way to minimise possible odours is by directing the
water as close to plant’s roots as possible.
The size of the garden and watering requirements will
determine the type of greywater system that the household
requires to maintain the garden effectively. Ideally, the
system should allow water to run back into the sewer system
if required - this would be necessary during periods of high
rainfall or when chemicals are added to the water.
For small gardens, a tankless water diversion system
would be the best option, such as the G-Flow system from
Water Conservation Systems, which uses waste water
as it flows through the drain. This is the ideal system for
sectional title properties or homes with space constraints.
More involved systems are available for larger homes with
irrigation systems where the greywater is channelled into a
tank or a filter. The filter is imperative if the water is going
to be used on fruits and vegetables or any other edible plants.
Once collected, the water can then be pumped through the
irrigation system to water the garden. The pump will require
a waterproof exterior electrical connection, but tankless or
not, both systems can be connected to the existing plumbing
and are simple to install, provided the plumbing outlets are
easily accessible. Companies such as Grey Water Systems
and Water Conservation Systems provide DIY kits with
detailed installation manuals, alternately there is the option
of hiring a reputable plumber to get the job done.
“A greywater system can eliminate the need to use tap
water in the garden, which will save water and costs while
adding appeal to your property,” Goslett concludes.