Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Ethical living

Discover eco friendly brands and sustainable fashion on our Ethical Living forum.

Original poster

Water recycling? Does anyone?

46 replies

KatyMac · 09/05/2008 20:38

I am thinking hard about trying to recycle my Rain water & grey water

Are there downsides?

Is it horrifically expensive?

As I'm not going to be on mains drains I guess some of the cost can be offset because I won't have to dig soak-aways (or will I?)

OP posts:
JennsterSlugSlayer · 09/05/2008 20:50

I have my bath draining into a downpipe that has a waterbut attached to it. The water can be diverted into the but or straight through to drain.

Original poster
KatyMac · 09/05/2008 21:03

I'm thinking a bit bigger I think

Maybe flushing all the toilets with this water?

OP posts:
JennsterSlugSlayer · 09/05/2008 21:08

Ah well, every little helps hey?

Original poster
KatyMac · 09/05/2008 21:10

Oh absolutly - I guess I'm just focusing on my problems (iyswim) - it wasn't very fair of me sorry

I also need techy stuff (which I may not understand)

OP posts:
JennsterSlugSlayer · 09/05/2008 21:12

I know little about it, but saw a fascinating program years ago about reed bed filtration. Have you thought about them?

JennsterSlugSlayer · 09/05/2008 21:12

No no didn't take it that way don't worry.

Original poster
KatyMac · 09/05/2008 21:13

Not enough room I don't think - it's a built up area

OP posts:
TooTicky · 09/05/2008 21:16

I have heard that in Japan, bath/shower water is used in the washing machine. Seems such a good idea but I don't know how you'd go about it.

Original poster
KatyMac · 09/05/2008 21:17

I think I need big (buried??) tanks

& a pump

& filters

OP posts:
JennsterSlugSlayer · 09/05/2008 21:17

God I would love a reed bed. Actually, would love the space (and staff ) to accommodate one.

Original poster
KatyMac · 09/05/2008 21:19
OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 10/05/2008 12:51

bump

OP posts:
superloopy · 10/05/2008 13:40

I redirect all of my washing machine water onto our grass just by attaching an extention pipe to washing machine hose. Making sure I use laundry detergent which contains no phosphates. And a garden safe fabric softner.

We also have a rain water tank which collects water from the roof and a pump which pumps the water into the house to flush the toilets.

We live in Australia and have pretty tough water restrictions due to drought and aren't allowed to water lawn, wash cars, wash windows. All houses have water meters too so we pay for what we use.

PheasantPlucker · 11/05/2008 18:47

A friend has just had an extension to their house, and has a loo using recycled water. I am so jealous.

ib · 11/05/2008 19:08

Our water is reclaimed rainwater (big underground tanks, 4 filters incl 1 UV, frankly v expensive) and all the used water goes into a septic tank then a zeolite filter (both underground, expensive but not outrageous) which cleans it up enough to use for watering.

The system works well but is not cost effective, For our next project I'll try to design something a bit more cost effective, but don't have details yet. We were a bit constrained here bu the local rules (am in France).

Original poster
KatyMac · 11/05/2008 21:13

I've just been told my garden might be too small to do this......bugger

OP posts:
ib · 12/05/2008 12:08

Really? It would have to be very tiny to not fit the setup I have. How big is it?

Original poster
KatyMac · 12/05/2008 16:09

17m by 6m - but I need a water treatment plant too & overflow soak-aways too

OP posts:
ib · 12/05/2008 19:15

My septic tank/zeolite filter setup takes 15 sqm, the storage tanks less than that - so you could do it but would have to be willing to dig up most of your garden!

Original poster
KatyMac · 12/05/2008 21:04

It's not a garden........ yet

How much did it cost (you don't have to tell me if you don't want)

OP posts:
Madlentileater · 12/05/2008 21:37

a friend told me about a low tech water filter, used successively smaller grades of gravel, water could then be used for plants (or toilets), it was more or less DIY and designed for developing countries. I think you could probably find something like this on the web (maybe water aid?) the issue would be storing and moving the water to where you wanted it.

Original poster
KatyMac · 12/05/2008 21:48

Maybe

I think I will need to 'buy' a package tbh - OFSTED will want to see proof it works

OP posts:
ib · 12/05/2008 22:03

I can't remember exactly about 8,000 euros I think for the waste water treatment (septic tank and filter, from a company called eparco) about 10,000 euros for a 20,000 litre tank for rainwater reclamation (suitable for drinking water).

That's for materials, labour was on top, as were the filters (2-300 euros each or so?).

Madlentileater · 12/05/2008 22:09

works?
I can see if you were going to use it for drinking or handwashing, but you're hardly going to be having the children drink out of the toilets are you?

Original poster
KatyMac · 12/05/2008 22:13

Ideally no.....but apparently it has happened in the past ?

I think flooding might be their first worry tbh

OP posts: