How it works

Although it’s quite a process to install a grey water system in an established home, it is definitely possible. Maskam Water provides a totally integrated grey water system that can be installed on your property: • The system is fully factory-fitted with all the necessary filters and pumps. A plumber will install it underground with just a green lid visible above the ground. The tank comes in three sizes: 1 500L (sufficient for a household of four), 3 000L and 7 000L. • The water from your washing machine, shower, bath and basins is collected via the various drainpipes and redirected to the underground tank. Your roof gutters can also be connected to the system to collect rainwater. • The underground tank has two ‘chambers’. In the first chamber, any fats and oils from the water are separated; they then flow away into the municipal sewer. A filter in this chamber captures all waste products such as hair and lint (you can clean this filter yourself every six months). The cleaner water left behind, as well as rainwater, is stored in the second chamber. • Water in the second chamber is purified by means of an air pump and a fine bubble disc diffuser similar to those you find in a fish tank (only bigger). The water is even clean enough to be used for irrigation without it clogging your sprayers. An ultraviolet light kills germs in the water. • For flushing toilets, a grey water pipe fitted with another filter is laid to the toilet. A dose of chlorine fed directly into this pipe disinfects the water and prevents algal growth; it also eradicates bad odours. The pipe then goes through the bathroom wall and is connected to the cistern via a second tap (next to the municipal tap); the municipal tap is disconnected so that there’s no backwash to the municipal water system – a non-return valve is therefore not required.