Just bought a recycled water diverter

save-a-lot

Hi

Just bought a bathwater diverter off ebay that fits onto the bath wastepipe outside. From this I can tap a hosepipe either for direct watering as the bath empties, or more conveniently into a water-butt.

Where can I get a good but cheap water butt?

roqchiq

Your local water company will probably have various offers, otherwise keep an eye on ebay, freecycle etc. If you end up having to buy a new one don't forget to use a shopbot

millersaver

save-a-lot wrote:

Hi

Just bought a bathwater diverter off ebay that fits onto the bath wastepipe outside. From this I can tap a hosepipe either for direct watering as the bath empties, or more conveniently into a water-butt.

Where can I get a good but cheap water butt?

Hi there

Not suer where you live but in the North there's a chain of stores called Wilkinsons. I saw a water butt there for about £14. That's gotta be worth the money.

Rachel021967

Just out of interest whats the going rate for a bathwater diverter and are they easy to install?

se999

If you Google for storing grey water there are quite a lot of health/safety warnings. Because when you drain it off it's warm, has bacteria in it and also nutrients due to soap etc., so an ideal mixture. One link also said don't use via sprinklers. (They were mainly PDF's and my computer doesn't like them too much so couldn't post the direct links).

The CAT info says do not store especially if anyone is ill, or using 'topical' skin treatments.

Also at one point on one of the 'water' untility threads, someone checked and the hosepipe ban applies to using 'water', so it also applies to 'grey'. I know this seems silly. The person contacted their water company and got an OK in writing to use it. Sorry can't find the link this morning.

Edit - It's actually the use less water thread in this section - also info on using grey water on there.

mashy_2

Mate , try your local council, mines(newham) offer butts and composts for near to nothing prices and that includes delivery :-)

hostie

You should be able to get a free one on freecycle. If you are not a member already go to Yahoo Groups and type freecycle and then follow the links to the one for your area. I was in the Brighton one for a while (two weeks) and water buts came up regularly. You could always ask for one and then you should get it free. I personally wouldn't store used water in it though. I think it is great that you have a water diverter but probably the best thing to do would be to attach a hose with lots of holes in it and wind it discretely round your garden so the water comes out the holes whenever you let your bathwater out. If you put used water in a container someone might get sick.

save-a-lot

Rachel021967 wrote:

Just out of interest whats the going rate for a bathwater diverter and are they easy to install?

Hi

I paid about £30 delivered from these guys - http://www.watertwo.co.uk. Really easy to fit aswell.

se999 wrote:

If you Google for storing grey water there are quite a lot of health/safety warnings. Because when you drain it off it's warm, has bacteria in it and also nutrients due to soap etc., so an ideal mixture. One link also said don't use via sprinklers. (They were mainly PDF's and my computer doesn't like them too much so couldn't post the direct links).

the storage is temporary and is used generally the same day, also we allow the water to cool before watering. The nutrients within the detergents have a beneficial effect acting as a plant food. The key is not to use too much shampoo's and shower gels, small amounts in bath water are unlikely to cause any damage to the soil.

quoting_source....._grey-water-recycling.co.uk wrote:

Bathroom

Chemical constituents of bathroom Grey Water include soap, shampoo, hair dyes, toothpaste and cleaning chemicals. Grey Water from hand basins is more polluted than bath or shower Grey Water, but is much lower in volume. Some of these contaminants act as plant nutrients and can be beneficial in the garden, but others can adversely affect plants or soil structure.

Concern is often expressed about people urinating in showers and baths and the associated health aspects of using Grey Water in the garden. However, urine in a healthy person is sterile. While some bladder infections may pass microorganisms in urine, the potential for these organisms to survive and cause infection is considered remote.

Grey Water from the bathroom is suitable for reuse.

taken from http://www.grey-water-recycling.co.uk/grey_water_faq.htm

quoting_source_environment_agency wrote:

Greywater from baths and showers can be used safely on most non-edible plants, provided it is applied to the soil rather than foliage and is not hot (see also card 3). Valves are available to divert wastewater from upstairs bathrooms to a hose when needed. A number of books and websites provide detailed advice on greywater gardening.

taken from http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/286587/286599/286911/548861/549582/?version=1&lang=_e

se999 wrote:

The CAT info says do not store especially if anyone is ill, or using 'topical' skin treatments.

Fair enough, then divert the water to drain during those periods

se999 wrote:

Also at one point on one of the 'water' untility threads, someone checked and the hosepipe ban applies to using 'water', so it also applies to 'grey'. I know this seems silly. The person contacted their water company and got an OK in writing to use it. Sorry can't find the link this morning.

Hosepipe bans apply to connections to the mains water supply only, so grey water falls outside of this restriction.

stealth_mode

I've worked in water efficiency for years and would agree that storing grey water in a domestic situation is generally to be advised against, particularly if it's a system that hasn't been designed into the build of the property. If you're using it the same day and are storing it simply to avoid the need to run naked from your bath in order to direct the hosepipe around your plants, then fair enough!

Hostie's suggestion of using a hospipe with lots of tiny holes that winds around your plants is a very good one. It ensures that the water gets to the roots and none is wasted on the foliage. It's also possible to cover the hose with mulch so it looks better and cuts down evaporation from the soil.

You're right to keep your soap and use of other toiletries to a minimum. It's healthier for the plants to alternate between grey water and clean water (rain water collected in your water butt?).

One last point - if you're buying a new butt consider one made from recycled plastic.

Hope this is helpful.

gromituk

stealth_mode wrote:

Hostie's suggestion of using a hospipe with lots of tiny holes that winds around your plants is a very good one.

My only concern is that the holes will get blocked with soap scum, just like all grey water pipes tend to get blocked if they don't have sufficient gradient. I guess connecting it to the mains might blast the holes clean!

margaretclare

OK people, here's a question for you:

We have no bath. We use a shower. Would it be possible to install one of these grey-water thingies from the drain from the shower and another one from the washing-machine?

What I'd really, really like to do is to flush the loo with grey water, never mind the plants. It really annoys me to think of flushing the loo with clean drinking-water! We often don't flush it just for a pee, especially at night, but even so, it's a big waste, and when you think of the people in the world who'd give their eye-teeth for the sort of water we pour down the loo...

Margaret Clare