Comment on Rainwater collection and reuse - IBC totes and irrigation pumps
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 1 week agoTbh even my fairly small garden could make use of this much water in the UK. I focused on keep stuff alive rather than optimal growing conditions.
Problem I find is that collecting rainwater is difficult to justify on the price of it. I looked at tanks out of curiosity, but water is so cheap that it could never realistically pay for its self.
Space is also difficult as my garden is fairly small. Looked at underground tanks but the prices there are even more crazy. I think the most cost effective option for me would be to just dump greywater on the garden instead. That just costs a pipe. Maybe something to put over the pipe where it crosses the path to avoid a trip hazard.
Chewie@slrpnk.net 2 days ago
Fair enough, and with underground tanks you need a way of getting the water out again, which usually means pumps, which adds expense and maintenance, and you have to make sure the water is really clean.
Using greywater is sensible. Switch your soaps to nature-safe ones to help - www.faithinnature.co.uk make some good hand, shampoo and dish-washing soaps. I really like the solid shampoo bars from here: soapnuts.co.uk/…/bulk-mixed-shampoo-selection too.
You can also get filters to help get rid of the impurities. One system is using a reed bed if you have space: www.reedbeds.co.uk
www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk has such a system as part of their pond system. We went on one of their open days a few years ago, which was really interesting.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
Reed beds are an interesting idea, I had initially thought of having it poured directly into an earth channel or two along my garden so it soaks in almost immediately and avoids having any standing water as I had heard storing greywater can rapidly get unpleasant. I suppose as long as it is filtering more than it goes stagnant then it should be alright.
Collecting it should be ok, got 2 pipes going out the house, one from the bathroom and other kitchen and they are next to each other. I think bathroom (not toilet, that is separate) is probably cleaner and contains less soap. Realistically it would only be necessary during times of drought anyway, now we are going into autumn there is already enough water from rain. Which should also help flush out anything that could build up from the greywater.
Chewie@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
Sounds good. Yes, I wouldn’t want to use toilet water, but bath and shower water would be ok. Just remember when you’re cleaning the bath with bleach or similar, send that water back to the normal drain!
Kitchen water from washing up should be fine, just watch that you don’t put too many fats down the drain, as it could smell and attract rats etc, possibly (just guessing, but I would think it would be a bad idea).
Also, i guess you need to think about the temperature - you don’t want hot water near your plants!
Next year I should think about doing the same thing with shower/bath water at least, that is probably the cleanest waste water.
If you just want to use an earth channel or similar, maybe have a look at “Field Drains”, eg: store.jdpipes.co.uk/land-drainage/ ? although you might have to get access to them now and again to clear the holes.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
To be fair excess fats are bad for the normal drain too. Temperature is a good point, my initial idea was that the channels would be along the grass paths so if a bit of grass dies by the opening it isn’t really a massive concern. By the time it soaks in any real distance it should be cooled by the surrounding soil.
Bath/shower usually is the cleanest source to go for first, the pipes are next to each other for me. Either way I would set it up so that they can be easily removed when I don’t need the water going onto the garden.
Do need to check how flat the area is, exit point from my house is pretty close to the ground so a slight elevation change could be a problem.