We all have a perennial stream running through our properties.  Accessing it is one of the solutions to our limited water supply.  A full-treatment waste water system, or a simple greywater system, can allow us access to thousands of gallons of water per year for use in our landscapes.  

Greywater

Greywater is the used water that comes from our laundry, bathroom sinks, bathtubs and showers.  Water coming from kitchen sinks and toilets is referred to as black water and is not suitable for use in or around the home.

Secondary treatment units

There are a variety of treatment units that treat black- and greywater simultaneously.  They are generally used when city sewer and treatment systems are not available, and a septic system is required.  Most of the treatment units clean waste water using oxygen and microorganisms to help de-nitrify water, and put a cleaner effluent back into the ground water.  Water can be treated to secondary and even tertiary quality, and put back on to the property through sub-surface drip irrigation.  There are more regulations that must be followed for this type of treatment and more information on these regulations can be found by contacting the New Mexico Environment Department.

 

Here are pictures of water in a septic tank before and after treatement using oxygenation and microorganisms.   This water is now ready to be dispersed sub-surface into the landscape.