Conserving Water

Hi Yorkshire, kitchen grey water does have chemical detergents in them so don't use it on food crops, and to be honest the chemical quantity is usually quite strong and may cause some damage, bath/shower grey water is normally quite diluted and could be used for watering in the garden, but again not on food crops/herbs you may be using...

to be honest i'm not a big fan on grey water usage because of the chemicals it contains but some places it is necessary..but maybe someone else may know more about it...good luck with it.

As we're on a water meter now we have to be careful with our water usage. I don't know much about using grey water other than you have to be careful with detergents but something we do is keep the watering can at the back door so we can transfer any 'clean' water we collect. It takes quite a long time for our hot water to come through downstairs and we find we can nearly fill the watering can before it starts getting hot. We plan to install a water butt soon to collect off the shed roof :)

Thanks for sound advice S/Lad, much appreciated, Crafty, we are now doing the same as you, our hot water takes a while to come through and I fill large saucepans and my husband tips it into a large tub outside the back door, we do have a water butt also,

Hi Yorkshire,

Here, grey water still often just goes into the roadside ditches. Although a European Directive has 'outlawed' it, many local people can't afford or don't have room to install the necessary equipment. The ditches are still full of flora and fauna.

Also, water restrictions can sometimes be so severe that grey water is all that's available for non food producing gardens.

It doesn't seem to make any difference to garden plants...my washing machine outlet used to empty directly onto the roots of a wisteria which was very healthy and enormous!...

...but, I understand the doubts about the chemicals. If you're worried, you could maybe add your grey water to your existing rain butt which would dilute it or use an organic/biodegradeable washing up liquid.

Good luck!...I'm sure you'll find the right solution (no pun intended!) :)

Hi Val, I used to use washing up water to water my plants years ago, and It never did them any harm. If this dry weather continues, I will be doing the same again, even if I dilute it down a bit more.

My washing up water always goes on shrubs and plants,unless its really greasy..no after effects at all.I don't use it on food things,though...We have a large bucket in the bathroom,as our hot water supply is also a long way off..and a large jug by the kitchen sink..its amazing how much you save,throughout the day....even just from rinsing out a couple of pots..or washing fruit and veg..always enough in that one,to water a couple of tubs,at least..It's just a case of getting into the habit..:o)

thanks for all your advice girls, much appreciated

they were talking about this on the BBc sussex gardening radio programme dig it... the other week... and they said it would not hurt the plants as its diluted......
I said to Howard... we will hav eto start using the washing up water if we get a hosepipe ban...

I've used bath water and washing up water for watering flowers with no ill effects. I found the little bit of detergent seemed to help to keep the insects down if poured over the leaves. I've never used water from the washer though. I shouldn't think it would do much harm if its just from the rinse cycle and you just poured it into the soil after you dilute it instead of on the foliage. I've also used cold leftover coffee and tea....every little helps.

I use a steamer to cook my veg in and I save the water from that, every little helps!

thats another good one Teds, thank you,

So true, Gilli,

Coffee grounds are collected from the local bars, here, every day...for gardens...

I've always poured mine onto the soil around plants...more because I didn't want to block the septic tank pipes, though! lol!

...and now, I seem to remember my granny doing the same thing with tea...

...I think we're just doing the same thing everyone used to do...but, we forgot...

I use coffee grounds around the roses,

Gilli, the soap does not affect the water then, thats another brilliant idea, thanks,

You're welcome Yorks. I forgot about the water from cooking vegs. I've used that too and it's full of nutrients. In fact, I froze some in ice cube trays and used to pop an ice cube or two around my orchids to water them. They loved it.

I can remember 1976 when we had a water shortage and were advised to try to save as much water as possible from our outlet pipes, my hose from the washing machine I had emptying into a dustbin, the advice given then was to allow it to stand for a week before using it,the bathwater was drained into another bin, not a pretty sight at the front of our house but when desperate one uses any method possible....

It's not exactly a problem for us at the moment :-(((( If any one wants to buy some water Honest Bulba can oblige.

Lincs....I remember the summer of 1976. That was our first trip back to England after we emigrated. Everything was soooo dry. The pollen count was so high that I ended up with hay fever which I'd never had before. Now I have hay fever every spring.

I was just about to take you up on your kind offer,Bulba..but we had our first long heavy downpour,yesterday evening.! Hurrah..I'm sure some other member,would be glad to buy some from you..:o)

We have been using our grey water since the very dry 1976. Nothing has come to harm, even the lawn is green because when the washing machine pumps out it floods the grass, I would say try it, any water is better than none.

G/Madge, what a brilliant idea using the washing machine water on the lawn, do you just use the rinsing water or the whole wash,

Well I pump all the water out into the childrens paddling pool, then it goes onto the lawn, so I suppose i use it all.

will do. and thanks

Lots of useful info. on this blog Yorks :o)

there certainly is Tt, great gang we have on here, hope you keep well,