Every day, clean-ish water runs from your shower, bath and basins straight down the drain. This is greywater. With a simple system, you can send it to your garden instead. Less waste, lower bills, greener plants.
What counts as greywater?
Greywater is used water from showers, baths, basins and washing machines. It is not toilet water, which is called blackwater and must be treated separately.
How a greywater system works
A basic system catches water from your drains, filters out lint and hair, and pipes it to the garden. Simple setups use gravity. Larger ones use a small pump and a holding tank.
- Direct diversion. Water goes straight to the garden. Cheapest and easiest.
- Filtered systems. A filter and tank let you store and spread water evenly.
- Reed beds and wetlands. Natural filters that clean water for wider use.
Use plant-friendly, low-salt soaps if you water edible plants. It keeps your soil healthy over time.
Is it worth it?
In a dry region like ours, yes. A greywater system can cut a big share of your outdoor water use. It shines in summer when gardens need the most water and the town has the least to spare.
Kondebe designs and fits greywater systems, reed beds and constructed wetlands for homes and community sites. Read about our off-grid sanitation options too, or see all our services.