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Can you discharge GREY water into a soakaway?
If you are asking this question then the answer is probably not. Most historic systems discharge to a soakaway, which is basically just a hole in the ground filled with rubble. This does not allow for the proper treatment of effluent which is why it is now illegal.
What can go into a soakaway?
Soakaways are generally used for areas which have a draining area less than 100sqm, although soakaways can be used for any draining area, as long as the geological conditions are suitable to ensure the soakaway can drain to half-empty within 24 hours.
Can you discharge GREY water on the ground?
Generally, as long as your gray tank contains water that was used for washing, it’s legal to dump it on the ground.
Can GREY water be dumped on the ground UK?
Apart from being inappropriate, it’s illegal to discharge your waste water on the road or in laybys. On some smaller campsites the owner may suggest you pour your grey waste water (from washing up, etc) into a hedgerow or similar – but only do so if you are told to.
Is there an alternative to a soakaway?
Septic tanks should be emptied once per year to avoid failure of the soakaway system. Package treatment plants are the modern alternative to septic tanks that produce a clear effluent suitable for discharge into a watercourse if one is available. The effluent is typically 20 times cleaner than that from a septic tank.
Can you put washing machine water in soakaway?
Washing machine waste water cannot be routed to a soakaway. The reasons must be obvious. Point 2. All water authorities insist that where a separate rain water drainage system exists, this cannot be used for washing machine waste water.
Can you put a soakaway under a drive?
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re able to install a soakaway for your driveway or roof rainwater then you should. You may be able to discharge the water into a sewer if no other alternative exists and you have permission from the water company who may charge a yearly fee.
How far should a soakaway be from the house?
2 – How Far Away From the House Must it be Located? The regulations state that a rainwater soakaway must be located at least five metres from the wall of a building and at least two and a half metres from a boundary.
How deep should a rainwater soakaway be?
The depth depends upon the location – if it’s under the garden or patio etc. it only needs to be 1310mm deep, but if its under your driveway it should be 1510mm deep to allow for a little more top fill. If you don’t want to dig that deep, check out our shallow dig soakaway options.
Can you discharge laundry water on the ground?
Household wastewater from washing machines, bathroom sinks, showers, and bathtubs is considered “gray” because it is only lightly soiled and poses a minimal health risk. As long as you’re only putting biodegradable products down the drain, graywater is perfectly safe for irrigating plants.
How do you divert greywater?
Washing machines are typically the easiest source of greywater to reuse because greywater can be diverted without cutting into existing plumbing. Each machine has an internal pump that automatically pumps out the water- you can use that to your advantage to pump the greywater directly to your plants.
Is washing machine water considered GREY water?
Gray water in California is defined as water from showers and baths, washing machines, and bathroom sinks. Black water in California is defined as water from kitchen and toilet sinks. But every state considers toilets black water.
How do I treat grey water in my garden?
Sink a plant pot into the soil and pour the grey water into it so that microorganisms in the soil can further break down any remaining substances. An added bonus is that this will keep the plants drawing water from deeper ground sources rather than the surface which quickly dries out.
Where can I get rid of greywater UK?
As a rule, grey water should be emptied at a campsite motorhome/caravan disposal area to go into the sewage system for proper treatment. Do note this area is different to where you empty your toilet waste. You will see the signs for “Grey waste disposal” and it will normally be a drainage point to drive over.
Are grey water systems worth it?
A study commissioned by the city of Santa Rosa, CA, reported that a “laundry-to-landscape” greywater system would save 15 gallons of water per person, per day. Recycling greywater from bathroom sinks and showers saves an additional 25 gallons of water per person; some systems can save 50,000 gallons a year.
Do soakaways need maintenance?
Precautions for avoiding a Blocked Soakaway This may sound like an obvious statement to make but a correctly specified and installed soakaway constructed from modern crates should last for many years with the need for only a minimal amount of maintenance.
What is the best stone for a soakaway?
Our Soakaway Gravel Stone 30 – 80mm is perfect for filling a soakaway for land and garden drainage. In addition to preventing waterlogging and sustaining the life of your garden, a soakaway will stop damp from seeping into the property from outside.
Can a soakaway get blocked?
Can a soakaway get blocked? The main problem people experience with soakaways is that they can become blocked up with silt, leaves etc which have washed into the soakaway and can prevent the rain water being collected and percolated back into the soil.
