WHAT TO DO WITH GREYWATER  
Following is general information on Greywater (or graywater) . For a design and quote for a Greywater (or graywater)  RE-USE System for your situation please e-mail me so that we may discuss your System further.

You may be interested in a composting toilet for a variety of reasons; typically concern for the environment, lack of water, dislike of septic systems or not wanting the high initial and ongoing cost of inspection and maintenance fees of systems like the AWTS  (aerated water treatment system, sometimes referred to as mini sewerage system). The most attractive feature of a Greywater (or graywater)  Re-use System is that it uses the water for irrigating areas that you may otherwise use potable (drinking) water for.

Many councils around Australia, in non-sewered areas, are making the use of septic systems difficult or impossible. Your council may also require a Geotechnical Report to assess the capacity of your property to accept your greywater.

Before engaging a geotechnical consultant we suggest that you check that they are prepared to provide a plan incorporating a composting toilet & greywater (or graywater) reuse system. We are compiling a list of geotechnical consultants whom we believe offer independent advice and are prepared to work wherever possible with your interest and requirements in mind.  

So, if we can assume that you’ve decided you would like to install a waterless composting toilet we would like to thank you. We think you are making a good move both for yourself and for the environment. In fact we think that sooner or later the need to preserve water will be such that flushing water down toilets will be a thing of the past.

Councils can no longer allow you to water the garden with your greywater (or graywater) so your decision is what to do with it. We cannot give you a black and white solution to this. It is a rather grey area! Most councils will require you to submit a soil test and then, based on the result of the test, produce a plan. Some councils may instruct you on taking samples, analyse the soil and provide you with a waste water plan. Others will recommend that you employ a geotechnical consultant to do the work. Adobe Loos & Worms are able to assess your soil for its capacity to re-use your greywater (or graywater) and provide a Greywater Re-use Design.

It is important to check that the Geotechnical Consultant does not size your trench area as he would for an AWTS or septic system designed to handle both greywater (or graywater) and toilet water. Your area should be significantly smaller (30-40%), and therefore cheaper, because you are not having to irrigate with toilet water (typically in excess of 35,000 litres per year per household). It is usually not the tanks which is the expensive part of dealing with greywater (or graywater) but the trenching. It is essential therefore, in order to minimise costs, that the plan does not oversize your irrigation area given that you will be using a waterless toilet.

Once you have your plan approved by the council you will know exactly what equipment you require. Adobe Loos & Worms can supply a package of the waterless composting toilet and greywater (or graywater) system.  Please let us know if you want more information on this option

The installed cost of a waterless toilet, grease trap/filtration tank and irrigation lines is significantly less than the cost of installing a flushing toilet with associated plumbing, septic tank and extended irrigation lines. However both of these systems are far cheaper than an AWTS in initial outlay and also in ongoing maintenance costs and inspection fees which typically  amount to $300-400 per year. By using a waterless composting toilet you will also save an enormous amount of water which is both good for you and good for the environment.

The advice given above is offered only as a guide. We recommend that you seek advice from your council plumbing inspector, but do not be deterred from your decision to use a waterless toilet unless the inspector can identify in writing why it is unsuitable for a particular location. 

The Dept. Natural Resources (DNR) in Qld have approved the Nature Clear to use the maximum design loading when calculating the size of your Greywater (or graywater) Re-use Area. The system has been approved by the DNR for disposal of the water via sub surface irrigation. Our Nature Clear info sheet is included in this information package.

Adobe Loos & Worms can prepare a Greywater (or graywater) Re-use Design that is suitable to submit to Council. The Design will include a Specification and Schematic Plan of the System, a Water Balance and Components listing.  If you require us to do this please contact us for a quote on design costs starting from $150.

The advice given above is offered only as a guide. We recommend that you seek advice from your council plumbing inspector, but do not be deterred from your decision to use a  composting toilet unless the inspector can identify in writing why it is unsuitable for a particular location.   

In NSW you can submit for Council approval your own greywater (or graywater) treatment system using Nature-Clear components, for use in connection with subsurface irrigation. See NCG System & NCP System for proposed Designs. Our Nature Clear info sheet is included in this information package.  Independent laboratory test results on the resulting water quality can be provided.

Q: Your Waterless Composting Toilet will keep you from polluting & wasting precious water by flushing it away. But what about the rest of the water you use? How can you make the most of it, rather than just using it once to wash your dishes, or your clothes, or yourself? 

A: Clean your greywater (or graywater)  and use it again to quench your garden's thirst.

Q: How do I clean my greywater

A: Read on to:

Nature Clear Greywater Treatment         
Greywater Diverter Treatment System

Quick links Brochures
 to Greywater (or graywater)

Greywater Article
by Liz Worth

Using Greywater
Alternative Technology Association

Greywater System & Diagrams & Price List

Gravity System Plans

Pump System Plans

Buyers Guide by the RENEW MAGAZINE - Greywater Buyers Guide

Low cost Branched Drain System for those on a very low budget

Price List & Order Form

Ode To Water - an interesting audio