Grey water is good for the garden

Such systems save money and increase property value

GARDEN maintenance relies heavily on water, so using grey water can be an effective way to nourish the garden and save on water bills.

Between 31% and 50% of South Africans’ household water usage is spent on garden maintenance, says Adrian Goslett, regional director and chief executive of Re/Max of Southern Africa.

“Homeowners who want to maintain their gardens while being more water wise will need to find alternative watering methods as a way of reducing their water consumption and water bill.”

With the average daily water consumption per person at 237 litres (in Cape Town the limit is 105 litres a day), a family of four could use as much as 346 020 litres every year, most of which will end up down the drain. Instead of allowing this water to go to waste, Re/Max has some tips:

Avoid using wastewater from the kitchen and toilet: Grey water is wastewater from baths, showers, sinks and appliances such as washing

lmachines. It does not include water from the toilet system or washing-up water, which can contain grease which will harm plants.

The residual soap won’t harm your plants: The residues and soaps in their diluted quantities actually provide useful sulphates and nitrates that are more beneficial than using water straight from the tap.

Don’t keep grey water for longer than 24 hours: Bacteria are a concern when using grey water, but if the water is used within 24 hours, there is no need to worry.

A way to minimise possible odours is by directing the water as close to the plant’s roots as possible. If the water does not infiltrate properly into the soil, it will create a pool of grey water, which can create a mosquito-breeding puddle.

Consider the size of your garden: Garden size and watering requirements will determine the type of grey water system that the household requires.

Ideally, the system should allow water to run back into the sewer

lllsystem if required – this would be necessary during periods of high rainfall.

For small gardens, a tankless water diversion system would be the best option. This system uses water waste as it flows through the drain. For larger gardens, install a more involved system where the grey water is channelled into a tank with a filter. The filter is imperative if the water is going to be used on fruit and vegetables.

Tankless or not, both systems can be connected to the existing plumbing and are simple to install, provided the outlets are easily accessible. Some companies provide DIY kits with detailed installation manuals. Alternately, homeowners can hire a reputable plumber.

Goslett says repurposing water waste can sound daunting at first but it is in the best interest of the homeowner to invest in a grey water system. Introducing alternative water sources not only helps maintain the garden in a drought but also is an investment that improves the property’s value.