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Frequently Ask Questions
About ESA EnviroWater Greywater
Treatment System
About ESA EnviroWater Greywater Diverter
Greywater Treatment System
Questions:
Q. How this system works?
Q. Can this unit be installed in an old
house or is it just for new houses?
Q. What is the recycling capacity range of
the unit per day?
Q. Are other sizes
available?
Q. What is the cost of recycled water
compared to tap water cost?
Q. What is the approximately electricity
consumption of this unit?
Q. How long can the water be stored?
Q. Where can this treated water be use?
Q. Is this treated water drinkable?
Q. Can I treat my kitchen water?
Q. Do I need to use environmentally friendly
products?
Q. Is there a
government rebate available on
this unit?
Q. Is a council
permit required to install
this unit?
Q. What is required to apply for government
rebate?
Q. How much does the installation cost?
Q. What are the
maintenance requirements?
Q. What is included in the ESA Envirowater
kit?
ESA EnviroWater Greywater Diverter
Questions:
Q. Is greywater safe to irrigate my garden?
Q. Will detergents cause any harm to my
garden?
Q. Is this diverter suitable for any home?
Q. How does it works?
Q. Is filtration necessary?
Q. Is there any regulation on using
greywater?
Answers:
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Q. How this system works? |
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A. The process begins by collecting your
home's greywater from the laundry, shower, basins and bath. From here the water
passes a large filter which will carefully remove any large particles. This
water will then continue to a large 600 litre tank (located either above or
underground). Once the tank is filled up a ten hour cleansing process begins.
Please note this greywater recycling system uses no chemicals. Once the process
is complete the water passes through another small filter and a UV light. The
water is now up to "Class A standard" meeting the EPA's 20/30/10 standard which
means that treated water complies with government agencies guidelines for grey
water recycling, so it is safe to re-use around the garden, toilet flushing,
laundry, path washing and car washing but “never for drinking purposes”. |
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Q. How long can the water be stored? |
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A. Given that the water is up to "Class A
standard" the water is able to be stored indefinitely, without the possibility
of the water becoming putrid or letting off any sort of smell. |
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Q. Where can this treated water be use? |
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A. Treated greywater can be used around the
home, for above irrigation of all lawns, gardens and even vegetable patches you
may have. Keeping your soil wet is very important as it will help prevent the
cracking of driveways, concrete foundations and even brickwork. Treated
greywater can also be used to wash cars, laundry washing and toilet flushing. |
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Q. Is this treated water drinkable? |
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A. No. The treated water complies with
government agencies guidelines for grey water recycling, so it is safe to re-use
around the garden, toilet flushing, laundry, path washing and car washing but “never
for drinking purposes”. |
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Q.
Can I treat my kitchen water? |
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A. Most of the water being dispersed from
the kitchen contains some of grease. This grease must first be filtered using a
grease trap before being able to enter the ESA EnviroWater Unit. Please, if you
feel that you would also like to have your kitchen water treated speak to an ESA
representative to find out more information. |
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Q. Do I need to use environmentally friendly
products? |
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A. The ESA EnviroWater Unit has been
designed to work well with the everyday products used by the average family, by
combining a number of specifically placed filters and using bio-mineral process,
all compounds are able to be broken down effectively. However a liquid
laundry detergent usage is preferred to avoid high sodium salt content of powder
detergents and the use of biodegradable detergents will definitely give a better
performance of the greywater treatment system. Research information by Dr.
Robert A. Patterson, regarding detergents and the reuse of domestic greywater
can be access at the Lanfax
Labortories web site.
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Q.
Is a council permit required to install
this unit? |
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A. Yes, if you live in Victoria, you will need to contact your local
council and lodge an application. There is a permit fee which varies from
council to council; contact your local council for information on
application fees. However if you live in the ACT you will not need a council
permit but you will need a plumbing inspection after installation is completed
before you are allowed to use your new greywater system. |
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Q.
What is required to apply for government
rebate? |
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A. To apply for government rebate,
you need to:
1.- Keep your purchase receipt.
2.- Have your plumber provide you with a certificate of compliance once the
system is installed.
Once you have completed these two items, contact your local water authority and
request that they send you a rebate application form to complete. You will be
required to provide your water authority with the purchase receipt and
certificate of compliance.
Your water authority will then credit your water account for the rebate amount.
Application forms can also be download from your water authority web site or
collected in person at their office. |
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Q. How much does the installation cost? |
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A. Installation cost will differ from
customer to customer as there are a number of factors that need to be taken into
considerations. The best thing to do is to contact your local plumber for a quote
on bringing all the greywater pipes in 100mm diameter to the point where you
like the unit to be installed or if your greywater lines are already joint into
a common point, you can use that point to connect to the ESA Enviro Water. All
this work can be quoted by a licensed plumber. |
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Q. What are the
maintenance requirements? |
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A. With regards to maintenance of the
units, the following applies:
Monthly:
Clean 130
micron disk filter
Quarterly :
Clean grit
chamber filter sock (contents to compost bin)
Clean UV lamp
glass sleeve
Annually:
All of the
above + check pumps, tanks, electrical components, etc. to
ensure system works properly.
Water quality testing by a registered NATA accredited laboratory (if required)
3 yearly:
De-sludging of
system using a water operated pump discharging to sewer
Replace U.V.
lamp |
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Q.
What is included in the ESA Envirowater
kit? |
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A. ESA Envirowater Kit:
- Grit chamber. Collects hair and
other solids particles which may affect pump performance
- Biofiltration tank, one piece
reinforced polyethylene tank. One piece rotomoulded.
- Biofiltration media. Proprietary
biofiltration media, the key to the envirowater system.
- Two option tops: Pebbles dish for
open fountain design or sealed top version (no fountain design)
- Submersible pumps(2) for
recirculation of water around the system
- Level switches for automatic On/Off
operation
- Electrically operated closing/opening
actuator valve. Prevents mixing of treated water with untreated
wastewater
- Electrical Control Panel,
Micrologix computer for automatic operation
- Sound/light alarm
- U.V. disinfection, keeps water
clean and low salt levels
- Home owners operation & maintenance
manual
- Installation manual
- Certificate of compliance by NATA
accredited laboratory
- 2 year warranty on all electrical
items
- 15 year warranty on all plastic
items manufactured by ESA Pty Ltd
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ESA EnviroWater Greywater Diverter
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Q.
Is greywater safe to irrigate my garden? |
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A. Yes. Our system can collects water
from laundry, baths and showers only. This is suitable for lawn and flower beds
but not for irrigating fruit and vegetable patches. |
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Q. Will detergents cause any harm to my
garden? |
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A. No. But we do recommend using eco
friendly, biodegradable household cleaning products, as well as natural or
organic body soaps and shampoos. An important point to remember when using
untreated greywater is to: DO NOT USE BLEACH. Research information by Dr. Robert
A. Patterson, regarding detergents and the reuse of domestic greywater can be
access at the Lanfax
Labortories web site. |
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Q. How does it works? |
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A. Greywater is diverted into a
collection tank, were it passes through a filter collecting gross solids
(i.e. hair, grit, lint, etc.) then when the maximum level of water is reached
the submersible pump automatically switch on and pump this water directly
to your garden. |
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Q. Is filtration necessary?
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A. Yes; filtration will prevent
clogging of the irrigation system. These filters have to be cleaned regularly as
instructed in the user's manual. |
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Q. Is there any regulation on using
greywater? |
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A. Yes. Legislation requires that greywater
must be kept within the boundaries of the property in which it was produced.
Make sure greywater used on your garden doesn't run off into neighbouring
properties or storm water drains. Requirements for greywater use and systems can
vary from state to state. You should check your state government and local
council regulations for installing greywater systems. |
If you have another question, please Contact Us
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