Grey Water Pumps

Making up between 50 to 80% of a household’s wastewater, greywater is a term given to the relatively clean wastewater from baths, sinks, washing machines and other kitchen appliances. It is generally any water that is drained from the house except toilet water. It may contain traces of food, grease, hair, dirt and household cleaning products, but it does not contain urine or faecal matter, which would be classified as blackwater as it contains harmful bacteria and disease-causing pathogens. There are ways to capture and reuse greywater, for activities like watering the garden and flushing toilets. There are simple kits that can divert greywater from your down-pipe if it is easily accessible.

A sump pump is primarily designed to remove excess water from basements, crawl spaces, or other areas prone to flooding or water accumulation. It is typically installed in a sump pit or basin where water collects, and its primary function is to pump this water away from the building to prevent flooding and water damage. Sump pumps are activated by float switches or sensors and are often powered by electricity. They are crucial for managing groundwater infiltration during heavy rains or preventing water damage in areas with poor drainage.

Grey water pumps are specifically designed to transfer wastewater generated from household activities such as baths, washing machines, and dishwashers for reuse purposes. They pump the wastewater into a separate storage tank or distribution system for reuse in applications such as landscape irrigation or toilet flushing. Grey water pumps are typically installed within the plumbing system of a building and may incorporate filtration or treatment mechanisms to ensure the quality of the reused water. In summary, while both sump pumps and grey water pumps involve pumping water, they serve different purposes and operate in different environments. Sump pumps are used to prevent flooding and manage excess groundwater, typically in basements or low-lying areas, while grey water pumps are used to recycle wastewater for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, within residential or commercial buildings.

Greywater and rainwater are not the same. Rainwater is fresh precipitation straight from the sky. It is naturally pure and free from salts, chemicals, detergents and minerals. Greywater is once-used household water that comes from washing machines, baths, showers and sinks. It may contain traces of food, dirt, grease and household cleaning products, so is less ‘clean’ than rainwater. It contains bacteria and a nutrient source and, as it is often discharged warm, is an ideal environment for pathogens to multiply.

Because of this, it is not recommended that greywater is stored. It is best directed to a soakaway and released a couple of inches below surface level. Rainwater, however, is relatively clean and can therefore be safely stored for long periods of time.

A greywater pump pushes wastewater from baths, showers, washing machines, and dishwasher into your property’s wastewater system. Greywater pumps are designed to eliminate grey wastewater safely and effectively, pumping greywater away from your home.

One commonly used type of grey water pump is the submersible grey water pump, which is installed directly inside the grey water storage tank. These pumps are compact and efficient, requiring minimal space and offering ease of installation. They work well for small to medium-sized households where space might be limited, and they are relatively low maintenance. However, submersible pumps may struggle with larger volumes of grey water or heavy solids and may require periodic cleaning to prevent clogging.

Choose from single or twin grey water pumps that differ primarily in their configuration and capacity. Single grey water pumps consist of a single pump unit that handles the transfer of grey water from the storage tank to its intended reuse destination, such as irrigation systems or toilets. This type of pump is suitable for smaller-scale applications or situations where the volume of grey water generated is relatively low. It operates with a single motor and pump mechanism, simplifying installation and maintenance. Twin grey water pump systems include two pump units working in tandem to transfer grey water. These pumps can handle higher volumes of grey water and are often used in larger households or commercial applications where greater water flow is required. Twin pumps offer redundancy and reliability, as one pump can continue functioning if the other requires maintenance or encounters issues. They are typically more powerful and can accommodate fluctuations in grey water flow more effectively than single pumps.

Greywater is household wastewater that comes from showers, washing machines, baths and bathroom sinks. It is once-used water that has been in contact with humans and their germs. Even if it is treated, greywater has the potential to carry bacteria and viruses and is never going to be safe to drink. There are some ways to reuse your greywater, however — for flushing toilets, laundry and watering your garden, for example. The plumbing from most buildings directs all wastewater (greywater and blackwater) to the sewer. But if greywater is separated out from the more polluted blackwater that comes from toilets, it can be treated and used as an alternative source of water for non-potable purposes.