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A grey water recycling system transforms wastewater into a valuable resource for your organisation by reclaiming and treating lightly contaminated water for reuse on site. Many transport operators use water reclamation to reduce the cost and environmental impact of their vehicle wash bays.
Process water is captured, filtered and treated, then recycled for reuse within the bay, lowering your cost per wash, and minimising the volume of water drawn from the mains. In this article, we’ll look at the practicalities of implementing a grey water recycling system in your facility.
Black Water Or Grey Water?
Wastewater is usually categorised as either black water or grey water. Black water is any wastewater that contains human or animal waste, typical from toilets or agricultural run-off – i.e. sewage. Sewage needs extensive treatment before it can be either recycled or safely released into the environment due to its high levels of organic contaminants and pathogens.
Most process water that doesn’t contain animal waste falls under the grey water heading, which includes wastewater from non-toilet sources such as vehicle wash bays, industrial cooling units, sinks, dishwashers, and showers. Grey water is less contaminated than black water and is fairly straightforward to treat and reuse for non-potable applications, such as flushing toilets, agricultural irrigation, or washing vehicles.
Process water from vehicle wash bays is usually grey water unless it is highly contaminated by faeces, for instance some agricultural plant, trailers used to transport organic fertilisers, or construction plant used around sewage maintenance projects.
How Does A Grey Water Reclamation System Work?
Grey water reclamation systems collect, treat, and reuse waste grey water for recycling on site, or safe discharge into the public sewer. In the context of vehicle wash bays, the water is collected from a drain within the bay and directed into a separate plumbing system.
From here, the reclaimed water passes through a series of filters to remove particulate matter, engine oil, grease, and other contaminants. Sometimes, the water will need further treatment to remove pathogens and chemical contaminants, such as disinfection or UV sterilisation. Your treated grey water can then be stored in a tank until it is needed for reuse. In some wash bays, the stored water can be redistributed into a pressurised wash system to create a circular economy in which a large proportion of water is reused several times, significantly reducing operational costs.
Why Invest In A Grey Water Recycling System
For vehicle fleet and plant operators, investing in a grey water recycling system brings both financial and environmental benefits. Reclaiming grey water conserves water and improves the efficiency of your washing processes. By reducing your facility’s dependence on fresh mains water supplies, you benefit from lower water bills and operational expenditure. Moreover, reclaiming grey water reduces your environmental impact by minimising the volume of wastewater discharged into the public sewer, and the cost of treating water for safe use or discharge. Your investment thereby increases the sustainability of your operation and demonstrates your commitment to environmentally friendly water management practices.
What Next?
At Britannia Wash Systems, we provide a range of cost-effective and efficient grey water reclamation systems for vehicle and plant operators. To find out more or to request a quote, please call 01789 335891 today, or get in touch.
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