Many people aren’t aware that Australia is regarded as being the driest inhabited continent on Earth. This is because of its excessively dry climate and increasing water demands. An increase in climate change has exacerbated the overall water scarcity because there’s now an increase in evaporation rates, creating drier than usual weather conditions.
When you’re dealing with water scarcity in your area, you may be surprised to learn that your 24-hour plumber has a solution that will not only help you save water but also create more of it. Sustainable plumbing is fast becoming a top solution to reduce water and energy consumption without compromising the comfort you and your family are accustomed to.
What is Greywater Recycling?
One of the most common aspects of sustainable plumbing is greywater recycling. This growing trend is showing up to the sustainability party in full force and is proving to be a worthy contender. To understand the concept of greywater recycling, you must first have a clear understanding of what greywater is.
Essentially, greywater can be defined as water that comes from a source other than toilets. This means the water that flows out of your sink, shower, bathtub, or washing machine can be recycled and used for non-potable functions. This type of water is either used immediately or treated and stored for later use in large containers.
The recycling process involves gathering the water and then applying filtration to remove any solids. The water can be disinfected to kill any bacteria or viruses that can form in the water during storage. A typical greywater recycling system includes a storage container, drain pipes or guttering, and a filtration system. Your local plumber will be able to set up this system based on your specific needs.
Greywater can typically be reused for the following purposes:
- Irrigation to water lawns, gardens, crop fields, and landscaping
- Flush toilets (after treatment)
- Laundry purposes
- In industrial settings where manufacturing processes may require the addition of water
Benefits Well Worth Considering
Setting up a greywater recycling system on your property has numerous worthy benefits. Our team of experts explore a few of the more notable benefits that are well worth considering.
1. Excellent Way to Become Part of Local Water Conservation Efforts
One of the toughest burdens on the environment as a whole is the ever-increasing demand for water. An increase in production and manufacturing processes as well as more crops being planted are just a few of the reasons why we need more water. Filling this need can be challenging if you already live in a water scarce area.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea for everyone to invest in sustainable water conservation. One of the key ways you can do this is to speak to your local plumber about installing a greywater system on your commercial or residential property. Since this water can be used for a whole host of reasons, you will instantly dominate the water conservation efforts in your area. Be sure to tell your plumber what you want to use the recycled water for so that they can recommend the right storage and filtration system for your needs.
2. Reduces the Strain on the Main Water and Sewage Systems
Reusing greywater lessens the pressure on two main council systems. The first is the main water supply that brings fresh water to your home. By reducing your individual need for fresh water, you are being less reliant on the main supply.
The other system is the sewage system. Using greywater means you are lessening the amount of waste water that enters the sewage system. This can go along way toward preventing blockages and overflowing. You will also significantly reduce the load on local treatment plants.
3. It Saves You Money in the Long Run
Every homeowner is continuously on the lookout for ways to reduce costs around their home. Reusing your greywater for everyday functions such as gardening, car washing, irrigation of crop and herb gardens, as well as flushing toilets will see a significant drop in your water bill. While it’s true that water being re-used in the home may need to be treated and filtered, this will still be more cost-effective than a growing demand for fresh water.
4. Systems are Highly Customisable
More good news is that greywater systems can be customised to suit your specific needs. That means that your plumber will choose or design a system that’s based on the size of your home, how much water you use, and how much you can re-use. You can, therefore, have a basic system for watering your rose garden or something more complex that suits your business’s manufacturing processes. Greywater treatment technology has endless possibilities.
Final Thoughts
Greywater recycling and treatment plans have a bunch of benefits that include saving money, reducing your environmental footprint and creating a steady supply of water in an otherwise water scarce area. A huge plus is that local plumbers will easily be able to assist you with installing the necessary systems to get you started on your journey toward sustainable plumbing.