#WaterConservation – Garden flourishes with grey water garden watering system
Watch how this innovative resident's grey water garden watering system works.
Innovative Elma Park resident Mr Colin Meyerowitz has not let the recent water restrictions stop him from enjoying his gardening hobby and planting vegetables.
Mr Meyerowitz, who makes use of a grey water garden watering system, came up with the idea a year ago.
He said the system is able to pump water at a rate of four litres a minute.
Before designing the system Mr Meyerowitz said the family would shower and wash dishes with a bucket but found it too messy and not as effective.
“I began doing some research online, used my common sense and designed my own grey water garden watering system,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
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In order to construct the water system, which cost him R4 500, Mr Meyerowitz said he used four plastic drums, piping from an old Kreepy Krawly, PVC piping, shelving and old valves.
“The most expensive part of the system was the submersible pump,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
The water system is connected to the dishwasher, the washing machine, and makes use of bath water.
“It is a work in progress,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
Mrs Meyerowitz said the family had to stop using powder in the washing machine as the powder began clogging up the pump.
“We now use liquid soaps,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
Mr Meyerowitz said as far as he knows the soap and the system has not been damaging the soil or the environment.
“The earthworms in the soil are thriving and the plants are growing better than ever,” said Mrs Meyerowitz.
Mr Meyerowitz said the system has reduced the water consumption of the family as they do not use tap water to water their garden.
His wife Mrs Caron Meyerowitz said it allows the family the opportunity to carry on with gardening as they had done previously before the drought.
“We had started a vegetable garden last year but stopped as a result of the lack of water,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
One of the challenges that comes with the system is that one cannot let the water stand for more than 24 hours.
Mr Meyerowitz said bacteria growth will begin to occur.
Despite this the couple say the system has been very helpful to their gardening hobby.
“The system has helped us financially as we can grow our own food now. Food from the garden tastes so much nicer and lasts for much longer,” said Mr Meyerowitz.
“The system does require effort but it encourage other people to try do the same and recycle their grey water,” he said.
He said by using similar systems families can save money and save sewerage treatment plants money.
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Watch Mr Meyerowitz showing how his grey water garden watering system works.
