Wastewater Systems
Wastewater Systems
Wastewater recycling in urban environments is being promoted by some councils but is strongly discouraged by others. The system must meet health standards which should be fit for purpose. Health authorities and hence council staff are also concerned about maintenance. However, those issues should be explored and the best option applied, albeit it sometimes a compromise, to keep raising the bar for sustainable homes.
Wastewater systems include greywater from bathrooms and the laundry and blackwater from toilets and the kitchen. Stormwater which falls on all impervious surfaces such as roofs and driveways is also often regarded as a waste product, although it shouldn’t be as it can easily be captured and beneficially used.
A greywater recycling system allows for used water to be collected from the washing machine, shower and bath and recycled for use in the garden or for flushing toilets. It has a double environmental saving in reducing the need for mains water and reducing the amount of wastewater that needs to be disposed of. Water savings vary according to your situation but could be in the range of 20- 40% or even more, if used extensively for garden maintenance.
Greywater recycling can be used in most other residential areas although there are varying attitudes to its use from Councils so contacting your Council for advice would be essential if you are thinking of installing one. It is also essential that the system and its installation complies with the Building Code; details of the relevant sections can be found at www.wastewater-recycling.co.nz (pdf). Generally the concern is that the system meets health standards and although most systems will be manufactured to conform to required standards, householders need to take responsibility for ensuring they continue to achieve that standard through good maintenance.
In commercial greywater recycling systems household water, other than from the toilet, collects in a holding tank where is filtered, sanitised and stored until needed. The recycled water is then pumped to the toilet cistern. Maintenance is minimal but essential. Typically the system needs to be cleaned out every 6-12 months, by the householder or a contractor and calcium hyperchlorite tablets (as used in spa pools and swimming pools) added as required into the dispenser fitted to the top of the holding tank. If the holding tank fills, it must have the facility for surplus water to by-pass the system to the galley trap, close to where it is situated. For manufacturers of greywater treatment systems try www.ecobob.co.nz
Stormwater can be diverted into rainwater tanks and re-used or released slowly to reduce the volume of stormwater which flows off the section at any one time. Rain gardens, constructed with the objective of reducing stormwater flow, filtering the contaminants and sustaining a healthy garden, are good components of any urban garden. Most councils have engineering guidelines and/or codes of practice which outline how to construct rain gardens. http://www.nscc.govt.nz/PDFs/Long_Bay/Series_200/LB204_FINAL.pdf
Wastewater recycling in urban environments is being promoted by some councils but is strongly discouraged by others. The system must meet health standards which should be fit for purpose. Health authorities and hence council staff are also concerned about maintenance. However, those issues should be explored and the best option applied, albeit it sometimes a compromise, to keep raising the bar for sustainable homes.
Wastewater systems include greywater from bathrooms and the laundry and blackwater from toilets and the kitchen. Stormwater which falls on all impervious surfaces such as roofs and driveways is also often regarded as a waste product, although it shouldn’t be as it can easily be captured and beneficially used.
A greywater recycling system allows for used water to be collected from the washing machine, shower and bath and recycled for use in the garden or for flushing toilets. It has a double environmental saving in reducing the need for mains water and reducing the amount of wastewater that needs to be disposed of. Water savings vary according to your situation but could be in the range of 20- 40% or even more, if used extensively for garden maintenance.
Greywater recycling can be used in most other residential areas although there are varying attitudes to its use from Councils so contacting your Council for advice would be essential if you are thinking of installing one. It is also essential that the system and its installation complies with the Building Code; details of the relevant sections can be found at www.wastewater-recycling.co.nz (pdf). Generally the concern is that the system meets health standards and although most systems will be manufactured to conform to required standards, householders need to take responsibility for ensuring they continue to achieve that standard through good maintenance.
In commercial greywater recycling systems household water, other than from the toilet, collects in a holding tank where is filtered, sanitised and stored until needed. The recycled water is then pumped to the toilet cistern. Maintenance is minimal but essential. Typically the system needs to be cleaned out every 6-12 months, by the householder or a contractor and calcium hyperchlorite tablets (as used in spa pools and swimming pools) added as required into the dispenser fitted to the top of the holding tank. If the holding tank fills, it must have the facility for surplus water to by-pass the system to the galley trap, close to where it is situated. For manufacturers of greywater treatment systems try www.ecobob.co.nz
Stormwater can be diverted into rainwater tanks and re-used or released slowly to reduce the volume of stormwater which flows off the section at any one time. Rain gardens, constructed with the objective of reducing stormwater flow, filtering the contaminants and sustaining a healthy garden, are good components of any urban garden. Most councils have engineering guidelines and/or codes of practice which outline how to construct rain gardens. http://www.nscc.govt.nz/PDFs/Long_Bay/Series_200/LB204_FINAL.pdf
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