Simple DIY Grey-water System: No digging required!
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Full details on how to build a grey-water system that does not require digging any holes in the ground. The system is shown in action, how to service it and how the circuit works which makes it switch on and off automatically - this simple circuit includes protection to prevent the pump running dry and destroy itself.
About 10 years ago, we had a similar severe drought like the Western Cape region of South Africa is currently experiencing. Back then I slapped together a simple gravity fed grey water system which ran the bath and wash-water directly onto the lawn. Since then, this system has been in use every summer … which is our dry season. My neighbour had a fancier system, using a pump, but the smell it produced was quite offputting.
After recently chatting to a friend who built his own system, I started looking into pump-assisted greywater systems again. He revealed the secret to prevent the smell … DO NOT store greywater! You only need a tank large enough to act as a buffer – a 50 to 100 litre sump will do the trick.
He referred me to great website (see http://www.insitucon.co.za/?p=17) by Tim, a South African who shares his wonderful research. He started by doing some actual measurements of how much greywater an average bath or shower produces and then shares his experiments and designs, including local prices.
While looking around my garden, to where I could bury a sump, I got the brainwave to utilise the empty space available in a manhole (of which I have three in my yard). I first had to find a tank that would fit its rectangular shape. I actually found a number of possibilities, ranging from plastic crates to a small dustbin. On my way to go buy the latter, I quickly popped into a 2nd hand shop where I saw a fibreglass inner of a geyser which would fit. It was half the price of the bin, but 10 times stronger! Its rounded end is ideal for the footvalve. It was easily cut to size, using a small angle grinder.
To raise the manhole lid to give access to the pipes and wires, I made up a wooden frame which also serves to keep the tank upright. Both frame and tank are loose and can be easily removed to service the system.
About 10 years ago, we had a similar severe drought like the Western Cape region of South Africa is currently experiencing. Back then I slapped together a simple gravity fed grey water system which ran the bath and wash-water directly onto the lawn. Since then, this system has been in use every summer … which is our dry season. My neighbour had a fancier system, using a pump, but the smell it produced was quite offputting.
After recently chatting to a friend who built his own system, I started looking into pump-assisted greywater systems again. He revealed the secret to prevent the smell … DO NOT store greywater! You only need a tank large enough to act as a buffer – a 50 to 100 litre sump will do the trick.
He referred me to great website (see http://www.insitucon.co.za/?p=17) by Tim, a South African who shares his wonderful research. He started by doing some actual measurements of how much greywater an average bath or shower produces and then shares his experiments and designs, including local prices.
While looking around my garden, to where I could bury a sump, I got the brainwave to utilise the empty space available in a manhole (of which I have three in my yard). I first had to find a tank that would fit its rectangular shape. I actually found a number of possibilities, ranging from plastic crates to a small dustbin. On my way to go buy the latter, I quickly popped into a 2nd hand shop where I saw a fibreglass inner of a geyser which would fit. It was half the price of the bin, but 10 times stronger! Its rounded end is ideal for the footvalve. It was easily cut to size, using a small angle grinder.
To raise the manhole lid to give access to the pipes and wires, I made up a wooden frame which also serves to keep the tank upright. Both frame and tank are loose and can be easily removed to service the system.
