The environment

Water conservation is now an essential part of Watermatic Irrigation drive to help achieve a more sustainable society. With major concerns over UK water supply, enforced hosepipe bans, escalating water board costs and climate changes, an increasing number of people are turning to grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting systems. This not only saves water and saves money; it clearly benefits the environment.

What is Greywater?

Greywater, also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as dish washing, laundry and bathing. Greywater comprises 50-80% of residential wastewater. Greywater comprises wastewater generated from all of the house's sanitation equipment except for the septic tank (water from toilets is blackwater, or sewage). Greywater is distinct from blackwater in the amount and composition of its chemical and biological contaminants (from feces or toxic chemicals). Greywater gets its name from its cloudy appearance and from its status as being neither fresh (white water from groundwater or potable water), nor heavily polluted (blackwater). According to this definition wastewater containing significant food residues or high concentrations of toxic chemicals from household cleaners etc. may be considered "dark grey" or blackwater. Watermatic Limited can find out how you can utilise this water for garden irrigation by designing a system tailor made to suit your needs.

Can I use Greywater to irrigate my garden?

You can utilise grey water from baths, sinks and showers to irrigate your thirsty trees, shrubs and plants, not vegetable gardens though. The most efficient method is via surface or sub surface drip irrigation (We recommend our superior BioDrip line) directing the water to where your plants need it… which is at the root zone, and of course water is directed to where it needs to be.

What you can use Greywater for!

• Garden Only
• Toilets and washing machines only
• Toilets, Washing machine and Garden

• The simplest option is to use Watermatic's greywater diverter, please see more information below.
• Toilets and washing machine option: Watermatic is using one of the most advanced system, "WME-4" Please download PDF for more information. This system recycles greywater to the European bathing standard.
• Combination of greywater and rainwater. Please download the relevant PDF which is attached.

Is it safe?

Grey water does not need treatment for it to be safe for garden irrigation. It contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium which are beneficial to plants. It is better for you and the environment to use natural or organic body soaps and shampoos. Bleach or bleach based products should not be used. Instead, use environment friendly cleaning agents in bathrooms as these are biodegradable and have no damaging additives.

We have a range of Organic product suppliers that can offer you support with these products and online discounts.

Greywater recycling unit - WME-4

The WME-4 is a greywater recycling system for water from shower and baths as well as hand wash basins. It operates on the principles of biological membrane filtration. The water is recycled to the water quality standards set in the European bathing water regulation. The recycled water can be used for toilet flushing, washing machine and garden irrigation.

With the WME-4 greywater recycling system, lightly soiled water can be reused. The compact system can process up to 300 liters of water a day from showers, baths and hand basins for use in toilet flushing, washing machines and irrigation of garden.

Short description of WME-4

• water for toilet flushing, washing machine and irrigation free of charge
• from greywater to reclaimed water using membrane filtration with pre biological treatment
• permanent high water quality of the reclaimed water due to ISB membrane filtration
• high efficiency due to optimised process considering the consumption behaviour via intelligent control unit
• long service life with low maintenance due to automated processes
• high operating safety due to monitored water quality
• no need of chemical additives
• little space requirement due to compact construction

Spruce - Commercial Greywater recycling filter

The Spruce multi-layer filter provides a system for the elimination of pathogenic micro-organisms from water and wastewater. The filter bed comprises of four layers of inert particulate material such that, from the top layers, the coarseness of the particulates decreases while the density of the particulate material increases.

The Spruce multi-layer filter bed has several advantages deriving from its hydraulic stability, which allows a steady-state build-up of accumulated biomass at higher growth-rates. This situation leads to the rapid buildup of accumulated biomass concentration that is much higher than that experienced when using other conventional methods using, for example sand filters. This design of filter has been found to be more efficient in retaining bacteria and parasites than rapid sand filters, particularly because of the formation of a biologically active bed that forms an effective barrier for colloids and particulates even in the submicron range.

This invention takes Deep Bed Multi-layered filtration in to a new generation. It relates to the treatment of water, wastewater and brine to eradicate contaminants and disease causing pathogenic micro-organisms, including cryptosporidium and giardia. It will remove and retain a wider range of particle size than other current designs of deep bed filter. This is a high rate filter with a low rate of build-up of head-loss, which gives it significantly longer filter runs between backwashing. Much experimental work has been done on the range of filters up to 2 metres in diameter that gives it a flow rate of 180,000 litres/hour, and this high capacity makes it suitable to provide all sizes of swimming pools. This system would provide a reliable and continuous cover with the benefit of reduced Chlorine requirement.

Grey water *Accumulator*

Different to the Diverter, the Accumulator will store several bath and shower waters, how much will very much depend on the size of tank chosen. Any size tank can be supplied and installed, starting from a 100 litre capacity. An irrigation computer can control where and when this accumulated water will be distributed to your garden, via your chosen irrigation method. Rain water can also be collected into this tank.

Domestic - Grey water *Diverter*

Watermatic's simplest greywater system simply divert the water directly to the garden safely, following common guidelines for safe usage including not storing the greywater for more than 24 hours, ensuring it cannot pool or run off, and depositing it with subsurface irrigation system. Watermatic's Greywater diversion systems can be both installed - in to new homes, or retrofitted to many existing homes. Our greywater diversion systems is highly efficient, effective and safe for simple applications where portable water is not required.

Your bath sink and shower water is diverted to this 50 litre unit which instantly pumps the filtered water directly to your garden. You can use different methods to distribute this water i.e. hose and sprinklers, drip irrigation or an existing irrigation system.

Can a grey water recycling system be installed at my house?

It can be installed in any property providing the drain pipes are external. On new build houses most drain pipes are internal and inaccessible, however, New build houses can still collect rain water.

Return on Investment

An average family of four wastes 3,000 litres of grey water a week down the drain. In 3 to 4 years with the saving on your metered water bill, and a refund on the sewage part of your bill an average family of four can save £200 per year. You also use free water to irrigate your garden and saving our precious water resources.

What about maintenance?

We offer a first class yearly maintenance program which includes two visits to give you complete piece of mind and a lifetime guarantee of the system we install. The system filter requires a regular clean which you can easily carry out yourself.

Is there Warranty and Support?

The grey water recycling system has a 12 month guarantee. Watermatic Irrigation has a dedicated team of customer advisors which can answer any queries you may have. You can purchase a DIY home assembly version to install yourself or with the help of a plumber. Alternatively, Watermatic Irrigation can install the System for you giving you piece of mind and a lifetime guarantee if you maintain a yearly service contract.

Combined systems - Greywater and Rainwater Installation.

n.b. Any systems can be installed overground or underground!

The potential ecological benefits of greywater recycling include:

• Lower fresh water extraction from rivers and aquifers
• Less impact from septic tank and treatment plant infrastructure
• Topsoil nutrification
• Reduced energy use and chemical pollution from treatment
• Groundwater recharge
• high operating safety due to monitored water quality
• Plant growth
• Reclamation of otherwise misdirected nutrients
• Greater quality of surface and ground water when preserved by the natural purification in the top layers of soil than generated water treatment processes

Please contact us for more information about grey & rainwater. We will be happy to assist and answer any questions about this inovative solutions, and how it can help you save money in irrigating your garden and water bills.