Power-Free Grey Water Treatment Systems

Revolutionary Sewage Treatment

After following the history of sewage treatment, NaturalFlow recognised the benefits of treating low-volume, high-toxicity black water separately from the high-volume, low-toxicity grey water. NaturalFlow created grey water treatment systems that separate these waters at their source, they then receive selective treatment within the system, resulting in a number of advantages.

What is Grey Water?

Grey water comes from baths, showers, basins, laundries etc. By having a grey water system, homeowners and business owners can convert waste into a valuable resource. Throughout New Zealand, many are already enjoying the benefits of reusing grey water. Some use grey water to water their lawns while some reuse the water for other non-potable applications. As grey water has less solid waste than water coming from toilets and kitchens (black water), it is easier to treat and safe to reuse as irrigation for landscaping, orchards, lawn and other non-potable uses.

How NaturalFlow’s Grey Water Treatment Systems Work

In other sewage systems, like septic tanks, grey water and black water are piped together into one big tank, where the solids, over time, settle to the bottom and the lighter scum floats to the top, leaving the relatively liquid water in the middle. As the solids and scum accumulate and build up, the water becomes narrower, and in effect, more solids are released through the tank, out into the soakage fields. The same thing happens when there is an influx of wastewater into the tank, and there is no time for the solids to separate and settle. The result: the trouble and foul odour that septic tanks are known for.

With NaturalFlow’s grey water treatment systems, process is better controlled.

Grey water and black water are separated at their source for selective treatment within the system. This prevents the low-toxicity grey water from emulsifying with the high-toxicity black water, simplifying the treatment process.

The black water passes into the Wormorator, an enclosed ecosystem simulating the forest floor, where the solids are separated from the liquid and treated through vermiculture, filter media and other natural processes.

Separately, the grey water undergoes a series of natural settling and filtration systems that reduce scum and solids. The water is later combined with black water for final disposal into the soil and the environment.

Grey water has low solids but carries soap scum. If this scum is retained for too long, it begins to putrefy, as it loses oxygen and allows anaerobic bacteria to grow. Thus, the sooner this water is released into the environment, the safer it is.

The Do’s and Don’ts with Grey Water

What to Do with Grey Water

• • Use Immediately

Grey water should be reused right after it is treated when toxins and scum are at their lowest levels.

• • Garden and Land Irrigation

The treatment process reduces the scum and solids which makes the water usable for surface or sub-surface irrigation systems.

What Not to Do with Grey Water

• • Non-Potable

No matter how stringent the treatment process is, grey water is still waste water. It is not safe for consumption and should only be used for reintroduction to the environment.

• • Stagnation

Allowing grey water to store for too long, without aeration, will cause it to stagnate which will create toxins that are harmful to humans and nature.

• • Water Reintegration

Grey water use should not be reintroduced to bodies of water because its chemical residue is harmful to these types of water.

• • Toilet Flushing

Only with further treatment Grey water can be reintroduced to the plumbing system to be used as an eco-friendly substitute for flushing toilets.