Grey Water

[marynz]

Grey water systems are increasingly popular here. The recommendation is to use soap flakes rather than detergent in the washing machine, and take similar care with what else goes down your plug holes, so that all grey water can be used safely on all plants. We have hose bans every summer, so I should really look into it. A proper grey water system can run through your garden hoses and is much easier than lugging the bath water.

[Cherry]

The grey water here is not very official and is feeding the banana tree.

[marynz]

You can manage bananas in England? That's dedication!

[Tel]

Oct 12, 2012 9:54:40 GMT marynz said:

You can manage bananas in England? That's dedication!

Mary, Cherry is in Australia visiting relatives at the moment.

[marynz]

That explains a bit! Thanks, Terry.

[Cherry]

Thanks Terry. The All Blacks played Australia in Townsville last night. Aust won. Also, my younger daughter's partner is from NZ.

[jrae]

I have a friend who has a simple grey water system in place, all the bath/shower and water from the sinks are recycled as "flushing" water for the toilet.

[marynz]

That sounds like an excellent system, jrae.

[marynz]

Oct 14, 2012 10:04:48 GMT Cherry said:

Thanks Terry. The All Blacks played Australia in Townsville last night. Aust won. Also, my younger daughter's partner is from NZ.

I hope he is treating her wonderfully enough to give you a good impression of Kiwis, then!

[Cherry]

Well Mary, he treats me well, so he has passed all the tests.

[marynz]

Excellent!

[bernieh]

I garden in a dry tropics zone in Australia and use 'grey water' all the time in the garden beds. We have metered water supply here, which means we pay for every drop we use.

Grey water is a valuable resource. It's the water that comes from household activities like dishwashers, washing machines, kitchen sinks, showers and baths. We have been re-using our grey water for many years.

The only possible problem associated with using grey water is the type of dishwashing liquid, washing powder or soap that's used. Some soaps and detergents are harmful to plants. If however these items are biodegradable, all natural, and NOT sodium-based and NOT phosphorous-based, then they're safe for plants.

Check the labels on soaps and detergents. I did a bit of research and found eco-friendly products that were safe to use and have stuck with them ever since.

All grey water should be applied to the soil, under the mulch, and NOT sprayed onto foliage.

I've used grey water on so many different flowering plants and never had a problem.

DO NOT use greywater on vegetables or herbs that are to be eaten raw though. DO NOT use grey water that has disinfectants or bleaches in it, or grey water that has been used to wash things like soiled nappies or clothes.

I hope this has been helpful.

[marynz]

Hi Bernieh. There are some fabulous Dahlia cultivars on dahliasaustralia.org.au which are not available here, but maybe one day!

Using grey water on vegetables is quite common here. People also apply it to foliage, just as was done with laundry water and washing up water before they had indoor plumbing - the health and relative freedom from pests of plants treated in this way led to the refinement of insecticidal soaps. So different practices in different areas!

[Cherry]

Super description of the use of grey water Bernie.

[bernieh]

Oct 30, 2012 17:37:52 GMT marynz said:

Hi Bernieh. There are some fabulous Dahlia cultivars on dahliasaustralia.org.au which are not available here, but maybe one day!

Using grey water on vegetables is quite common here. People also apply it to foliage, just as was done with laundry water and washing up water before they had indoor plumbing - the health and relative freedom from pests of plants treated in this way led to the refinement of insecticidal soaps. So different practices in different areas!

Thank you Marynz for the recommendation on the Dahlia seller. I will have to look into that, as I really do want to grow more of them.

It is interesting to see the different practices in different places. You make a very good point about the refinement of insecticidal soaps too.

I think the thinking behind recommending against using grey water on vegies and herbs here, was that if there's been any sickness in the house, like the really nasty gastro bugs that go round here, there might be a chance of spreading the bug ... if the end result of nasties like gastro bugs end up going down the bathroom sink or get washed in the washing machine ... I don't want to be too gross and say more!!!

I know that in days gone by, our Grandmas would chuck the washing up water or the laundry water over flowers and vegies, but of course in those days they tended to use pure soap and soap flakes, not the detergents that are used these days.