Page 24 - IFV Issue 1_2024

Estate News

THIRSTY PLANTS, THRIFTY PLANET:

Unpacking the Benefits of Greywater Reuse in Landscaping

nourish our soil and plants, promoting
healthier growth and vibrant blooms.
Drought Resilience: Greywater is a
useful resource during periods of water
constraint. Use this sustainable water
source to keep your garden flourishing
even during dry seasons.
Customised Irrigation: Adapt the use
of greywater to the requirements of your
garden. You can choose to maximise water
distribution by using mulch basins or drip
irrigation. (It is essential that you treat
greywater to remove excess residue as this
could potentially block emitters).

Safe and Sustainable use of
Greywater
• Greywater has been shown to be a
potential hazard to human health. Its
R and Water is dedicated to that can additionally assist in lowering handling must be done with care to
reduce the risk of infection. Use gloves
supporting
industries
both
potable water use in arid areas by up to
when handling greywater.
and communities in becoming
toilet water that contains faecal matter and
conscientious water consumers. This 50%. Blackwater on the other hand, is • Greywater containing potentially
commitment is exemplified, in part, by its urine. Faecal matter is a breeding ground infectious pathogens should not be used
Water Wise brand. Beyond educating on for harmful bacteria and pathogens that for irrigation. This includes water used to
various facets of water conservation, the can cause diseases. Greywater can be wash nappies or soiled sheets.
brand delves into pioneering methods collected using a bucket, connecting a • To reduce odour and bacteria, greywater
and techniques for promoting responsible pipe from a bathroom outlet to a garden should be used within 24 hours of
water usage. or installing a greywater treatment system collection.
Water scarcity is becoming a worldwide (wetlands, green walls) that will filter large • Subsurface irrigation is the best way
issue rather than a remote worry. The particles, nutrients and pump-treated of watering since it protects against
demand for adaptable solutions is growing water through irrigation pipes. possible microbiological health hazards.
due to these issues, and using greywater • To avoid waterlogging and prevent root
offers a straightforward but effective Benefits of Greywater in Your damage, it’s critical to disperse greywater
option to shift our water-use patterns. Landscape uniformly in your landscape.
Greywater utilization is significant because Water Conservation: The use of • When irrigating with greywater, it is not
it may simultaneously address two urgent greywater provides us with an opportunity advisable to use spray irrigation. This
issues: environmental sustainability to use an average of approximately 35 – is primarily due to the increased risk of
and water scarcity. Adopting greywater 234 litres (per person per day) of greywater exposing people to greywater.
methods is a critical step toward a future which can be repurposed for irrigating our • Where possible, greywater should not be
where we are more water-conscious and plants. It’s a small change that makes a big used for an extended period in the same
resilient. In the face of an unpredictable impact on our planet! area. This may result in the accumulation
climate, conservation is a commitment to of different components found in
protecting our most valuable resource. Cost-Effective: The use of greywater is greywater that may negatively impact
inexpensive and for this reason, our water the plant’s health.
What is Greywater? bills can be drastically reduced while
Greywater is wastewater that can be investing in a greener future. Always be #WaterWise
reused for other purposes. Greywater Lush Landscapes: Watch your garden
makes for as much as 70% of all residential flourish! Greywater provides essential
water use. Although greywater and nutrients such as total nitrogen (2.75 to
blackwater are typically combined, 21.00 mg/L) and total phosphorus (0.062
separating the two, greywater on its own to 57.00 mg/L) that mainly originate from
provides several opportunities such as the kitchen (kitchen waste) and laundry
laundry, toilet flushing, and plant irrigation (soap), respectively. These nutrients