Grey Water Re-cycling and Re-use
Grey water is the used water that comes from the washing machine, hand basins, and showers in the home. It is not water from the toilets or kitchen sink.
This water is not fit for human consumption and needs to be handled with extreme caution as it can contain microscopic bacteria and disease.
As a result it can only be re-used as underground reticulation on your gardens. It can not be sprayed around the garden and is not recommended for use in vegetable gardens.
The features of a grey water system are that it collects water from the outlets mentioned and collects it in a tank or pit for less than 24 hours. It then pumps the water through a special reticulation system to your gardens. The system also has a fail safe connection which sends the water straight down the sewer line when required.
The minimum size of the garden which can use this water is stipulated by the West Australian Department of Health and there are also restrictions on how close to the neighbouring boundaries this water can be used. Note: This garden will also need a “normal” reticulation system for days and periods when the grey water is not flowing (eg during holidays etc).
These systems are not “set and forget” and need regular flushing and maintenance, so please inform clients of these obligations before they elect to go “grey water ready”.
W&B will not be installing grey water re-cycling systems, but we will be offering a “grey water ready” option which will involve a modified plumbing design, a reflux valve on the sewer line and a power point in a specified location to run the clients future system. We are unable to offer the complete system as we don’t normally get involved in the design and set-up of reticulation and gardens with our clients and we can’t ensure that the grey water system is designed in accordance with the regulations. This is why clients should select their own supplier to install the system they choose once the home is finished.
Clients will be able to contract with a supplier to simply cut into our system and install a grey water system once the house is handed over if we have prepared it as “grey water ready” for them.