Mobile greywater distribution gadget

[strud]

Hi all,

Since it is currently too big a task to plumb up our whole property for a dedicated greywater system, I have built a small trailer out of a $26 trolley, a $15 drum and a spare pump. It is powered by the battery on our rideon mower.

I used it for the first time on the weekend and it's great ! Only problem is a small leak from the lid on the drum.

We currently do about 3 loads of washing/week in our frontloading machine and that produces about 180->200L of greywater. Will try and hook up to the shower drain next.

Some pictures are on the permaculture picture gallery under

http://photos.permaculture.org.au/galle ... p?album=53 (http://photos.permaculture.org.au/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=53)

[ho-hum]

Hiya Strud,


I cant comment on its effectiveness but it is as cute as hell!

Well done.

floot

[Jez]

Good job Strud. 8)

[strud]

Thanks guys.

Regarding effectiveness, the pump is pretty impressive for such a small unit. It is capable of 60 psi and 16L/min (not at the same time though).

It is able to run a typical garden hose and nozzle pretty much the same as off residential mains except if you run the hose without the nozzle ie peak flow is a little lower.

Incase anyone is interested, it is a Jabsco PAR-MAX 4.

[Cornonthecob]

Very inventive! Well done :)

[Plumtree]

That looks great and effective! I am always amazed at how little grey water is actually produced. There are only two of us so we concentrate the grey water on small apple trees. At least the water is reused twice and has had a very positive effect in the one small area. We drain from the shower and washing machine. We are able to shift the outlet so that chemicals will not concentrate in one area. However, every drop is worth saving!

[Richard on Maui]

That's pretty cool. I reckon you could use that set up to spray liquid fertilisers onto trees too, couldn't you?

[strud]

I reckon you could use that set up to spray liquid fertilisers onto trees too, couldn't you?

I reckon so Richard. I was going to try dissolving some fertiliser in the greywater (ie drop it into the tank) prior to watering.

I currently use thrive or similar, but interested to know if there is something I could make that is more in the permaculture theme yet doesn't give the pump a hard time ? ie fully dissolvable

[Jez]

Compost tea would be a goer Strud, as would a well aged organic liquid manure. Of course, if you're using a pump you might have to do a little filtering prior to adding it to your tank - or get a pump which can cope with small solids.

Lots of organic ferts are made of fish waste and/or kelp, or blood and bone...as long as it's organic, then you could mix and match a bit to get the right blends of NPK and trace elements to suit whatever you're fertigating. You can get an idea of percentage of materials used and nutrient contents by ratio from BFA certified organic products using similar ingredients at the local nursery or hardware store.