Turn your greywater green
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Each week the average Australian household generates up to 800 litres of washing and cleaning water. With many Australian cities and regional centres enduring drought conditions the opportunity to correctly recycle water used in cleaning and washing is vital, and when done correctly, it can be used for watering plants and gardens, flushing toilets, washing cars and much more.
However, users beware; not all greywater is created equal. If the washing or cleaning detergent you have used contains phosphates, petrochemicals or non-biodegradable materials it can do more harm than good. Why you ask?
* When it enter waterways phosphates feed blue-green algae resulting in algae blooms which contribute to weed and algal slime build up.
* Petrochemicals can cause allergic reactions and take a long time to break down
* They are made from non-renewable resources
Maximise the benefits of your greywater by choosing a washing powder such as Aware Eco Choice or Sensitive Skin to ensure the water you put back into your garden is as safe as possible. When looking for a greywater friendly detergent make sure it is plant based, able to break down quickly and made from renewable resources.
Using greywater needn’t be a chore either. It can be as simple as attaching a hose from the washing machine and into a catchment bucket for later use or for the more hi-tech consumer there are treatment systems available that collect water from the laundry or shower and treats it to a suitable level for indoor use.
Follow these greywater use tips to take a ‘green’ step in the right direction:
* It is law to ensure greywater does not run onto neighbouring properties or into stormwater drains
* Don’t use greywater on vegie patches or food plants you intend to eat raw
* Cool water from hot wash cycles before using on the garden
* It is best to discard water used to wash nappies to avoid spreading diseases including Giardia
via http: www.orangepower.com.au/messages/09dec2009/web.html
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