GWS : Budget DIY Installation Kit : Water Recycling

Grey water is made up of bath, shower, bathroom sink and washing machine water, it is not advisable to use your kitchen water as this is damaging to plant life because of the fat content.

An average household (family of 4) will use between 200-300 litres of reusable water on a daily basis. The residues, soaps etc in the water in diluted quantities can provide useful sulphates and nitrates which some experts say is more beneficial to the garden than clean tap water.

It is advisable to use biodegradable products in the washing machine. The average suburban garden accounts for about 35% of domestic water consumption. Most of the concerns about grey water are to do with the hygiene aspect and odours of the water, but both these aspects are eliminated if the water is re-used as soon as possible and bacteria has not been given the the to produce.

Advantages of Using Grey Water

* Lower fresh water usage
* Less strain on septic tank
* Grey Water has effective nutrients for plant life
* Ground water recharge
* Cost effective, up to 80% of waste re-used
* Avoid penalties on water restrictions
* Connect to existing irrigation

The Budget DIY kit consists of:

*Underground Tank and Lid
*Net Filter
*Submersible pump
*Adaptors

Costs Savings and Payback

Graph 1:

* Average usage with grey water 5.326 kl: Free
   Average usage with irrigation 5.326 kl: Free

* Average usage with grey water 5.326 kl @ R3.33: R17.57
   Average usage with irrigation 5.326 kl @ R3.33: R17.57

* Average usage with grey water 7.101 kl @ R7.10: R50.41
   Average usage with irrigation 7.101 kl @ R7.10: R50.41

* Average usage with grey water Excess usage @ R10.52: R139.36
   Average usage with irrigation Excess usage @ R10.52: R297.16

* Average usage with grey water Total: R207.33
   Average usage with irrigation Total: R365.14

* Difference: R157.81

Graph 2:

* Disposal charge with grey water 3.728 kl: Free
   Disposal charge without grey water 3.728 kl: Free

* Disposal charge with grey water 3.728 kl @ R4.01: R14.95
   Disposal charge without grey water 3.728 kl @ R4.01: R14.95

* Disposal charge with grey water 4.971 kl @ R8.52: R42.34
   Disposal charge without grey water 4.971 kl @ R8.52: R42.34

* Disposal charge with grey water Excess usage @ R9.32: R86.42
   Disposal charge without grey water Excess usage @ R9.32: R226.22

* Disposal charge with grey water Total: R143.71
   Disposal charge without grey water Total: R283.51

* Difference: R139.80

* Total Monthly Savings: R297.61

The above chart is based on an actual study where the average usage of a household was 31 000kl with a Grey water system and the average usage of a household that was 46 000kl that irrigates with municipal water in the Western Cape area.

The tariffs that are shown are standard throughout the Cape Town area and show the savings that are possible. If the irrigation is metered for a period of six months over summer then the saving that is possible would be R1 785.66 over this period. The water usage and disposal charge work on the same usage ie : the more water you use the higher your disposal charge. The figures speak for themselves and show that the average pay back period on a Grey water system would be in a period of 3 years.

These prices are subject to change without prior notice, stock availability subject to prior sales. Prices exclude delivery.