Leni Nyssen of Alchemy Farms with her simple reed bed filtering system.
Story and photos by Linda Moon
Setting up a basic system for recycling grey water is cheap, easy and worthwhile.Read about a garden in North Leura and learn from a permaculture designer how it can be done.
Key Points:
Save money and time watering, reduce water waste and hydrate your garden by reusing grey water.
A local permaculture designer explains how she created a simple setup.
Learn the local rules and regulations around using grey water.
“We want to grow a lot of food, and we have kids and do a lot of washing, so what better way to use that water than out to the garden.” Leni Nyssen of Alchemy Farms Permaculture Design is showing off her basic grey water filtering system: a simple version of a ‘reed bed system’ which actually looks easy to set up.
The permaculture consultant and educator’s backyard (in North Leura) is littered with sprawling veggie patches and kids’ toys, a rambling dog and chickens. The message: you don’t have to be wealthy, a plumber, living on acreage or even a homeowner to re-use your grey water.
What is grey water?
It’s the wastewater from our bathrooms and laundries. With relatively less chemicals, fats and biological matter than dark grey water (from the kitchen) or black water from toilets, it’s the recycling go-to of wastewater.
By re-using her washing machine water, Leni reckons her system waters most of the garden for her. The family’s washing machine uses an estimated 80 to 100 litres per load.
Leni’s reed bed system
From the washing machine hose, plastic piping dangles downstairs into an old bathtub at the side of the house. Gravity (Leni’s washing machine is on the second floor) propels the water forward.
The bath contains stones, gravel, sand, reeds and other water loving plants. Based on the concept of wetlands, these are partitioned into a series of sections, including a mini pond area, that slows the water flow, filtering and cleansing it. Having a smaller outlet than inlet, also helps stem the flow, Leni explains. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
There’s no odour. “It’s only when there’s storage and bacteria starts to get active, that it starts to smell,” she explains.
The grey water is fed to the garden via outlet hosing attached to the bottom of the bath. As the garden slopes gently downhill, there’s no need for a pump. Too easy!
The grey water is fed into deep mulch-covered swales (trenches) in the food forest area to help grow fruit trees, vines and perennials.
Is grey water okay for the garden?
Leni, who studied permaculture design and education with Geoff Lawton and Rowe Morrow, views grey water recycling as another helpful method for improving soil moisture and the resilience of our gardens to dry conditions. She says, “the real focus in permaculture is slowing water and spreading it and soaking it into the landscape.”
“Living in such a fire-prone area, we need to focus on making sure the landscape is hydrated” – Leni Nyssen.
The main issue with grey water is sodium, which in turn affects soil pH. Grey water from the washing machine (laundry products tend to be high in sodium) usually makes soil more alkaline. Phosphates, oils and chemicals are other common problems in grey water.
For the laundry, Leni recommends soap nuts (which you can get from the Blue Mountains Food Co-op), or pure soap flakes. “That has the least impact when it goes out to the soil,” she says. “The main thing is it [grey water] should go to the root systems rather than leaves that you’re going to pick and eat.”
Leni Nyssen’s permaculture garden gains the advantage of extra hydration from grey water over summer.
More options for using grey water
A reed bed bath system isn’t your only option.
Buckets: Catch water in the shower, bath or basin or the rinse cycle of the washing machine.
Water diversion devices: Inexpensive and can be installed by a plumber. Alternatively, use a grey water diversion hose attached to your washing machine. Bathroom or laundry water can be diverted into your land (such as trenches, swales and basins around trees) but should be cooled in a holding trench or other collection point first.
More expensive and complex domestic waste water treatment and storage systems with pumps, filters and more.
Note: with any drip irrigation or ag-piping containing holes, filters are a must to avoid them getting clogged with lint, hair and other stuff.
A grey water diverter for sale at a local hardware shop is an inexpensive option.
Wise and safe grey water use
Also check out these tips from the experts:
Use the most eco-friendly, low-sodium, low-phosphate laundry and personal care products possible.
Don’t use water after dyeing your hair, cleaning the bath, basin and so on. Bleaches, drain cleaners, disinfectants, hair dyes, shampoos, toothpaste, mouthwash, perfumes and many other products contain chemicals and other ingredients harmful to soil health (and possibly to you too!).
Don’t use grey water on vegetables, herbs and root veg.
Don’t store untreated grey water for longer than 24 hours to prevent bacteria build-up.
Distribute grey water to the subsurface. Don’t let it pool on the surface: a recipe for bacterial or algal bloom.
Don’t use water from washing nappies.
Regularly monitor and maintain any reed beds for bacteria and algae.
Never use hot water directly on the garden. It will kill beneficial soil organisms.
Don’t let pets or wildlife drink grey water or let kids play in it.
Give your garden regular breaks from grey water.
Monitor soil health and pH. Regularly add organic matter to soil.
Avoid watering acid-loving plants, like berries, camellias and rhododendrons, with grey water.
Try “hydro zoning” your garden according to water needs. Position plants with similar water needs together. Direct grey water to the most thirsty.
Know the rules
You don’t need council approval to re-use grey water on your land, but you do have to abide by certain rules around its use. These include only using it to irrigate the sub-surface of your garden using pipes / hose 100mm below the ground and avoiding using it during rainy periods and if someone at home has a contagious disease. Purple hoses and fittings should ideally be used to identify grey water recycling.
Watch the video (below) about Leni Nyssen’s reed bed system. Leni can offer guidance on how to create your own DIY system, as well as advice on how to live more sustainably and ecologically.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
🍃Volunteer weekly at the Planetary Health Centre 🍃
From next week, Tuesday 28th April, come and join Leni from @alchemyfarms_permaculture from 10am - 12pm, to help with the management of the Planetary Health veggie gardens, where any surplus produce can be shared!
The gardening session will be followed by a complimentary tea or coffee in the Planetary Health cafe.
📆Day: Every Tuesday 🕙Time: 10AM - 12PM
📍Where: Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia Street Katoomba (follow the pathways at each side of the building, round to the terrace and gardens).
What shall I bring? All you need to bring is water, gardening gloves and a hat.
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting the first year Medical students from @notredamesyd for their Rural and Indigenous Immersion trip across Katoomba and Lithgow. Across two days, 150 students learnt about the link between human health and a healthy environment, the work of the @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth Initiative and the @bluemountainscitycouncil to create climate resilient communities, and got to explore our site using heat mapping tools....
Join Rotarians for Planetary Health on International Women`s Day, from 2.30-4pm Sun 8 March, for the opening of a portrait display to celebrate local women who have made a meaningful impact on protecting animals and nature. The photographs by Sue Lightfoot and others are part of a long-term initiative to build a living, community-driven database of women working to protect animals and the natural world.
The display will be open until 1 April, Thursday to Saturday, 9.30am–3.30pm at the Junction 142 Village markets (church space). As the project develops, community members will be invited to nominate women whose work deserves recognition.
The launch follows the Uniting Church and Plant Inspired`s monthly community luncheon from 12-2pm, which this month features the Older Women`s Network Blue Mountains. For more information contact 0434 691 496 (Teya)
In a world being threatened by war, greed, cruelty and selfishness, the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend will close with a gathering of people who have faith that kindness, generosity, love, creativity and community, and the healing of our land, are a better way forward. We`re thrilled that harpist Dawn Egan will be performing at this inspiring event in the Planetary Health exhibition space. Afternoon tea will be provided. Register to attend here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Had lunch yet? Head over to the Planetary Health Centre for these delicious offerings from @8thingskatoomba today (Sat 28 Feb): South Indian dosa, Korean bao, NY Cheese burger, Bali nasi, Mullum tofu fries, shoestring fires & red bean mochi!
Don`t miss hearing Andrew Skeoch at 2pm today at the Planetary Health Centre! He`s an acoustic ecologist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature` and uses technology to help identify the different `conversations` happening in the world around us. His presentations are a revelation! Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Planetary Health Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Experience the joy and sense of purpose that connecting to community, nature, and your own creativity can provide this weekend at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend. There will be delicious food and coffee, music, art, workshops, nature walks, talks, an Interfaith Gathering and the following stalls:
Food vendor: @8thingskatoomba Zensational Coffee Cart @blue_mts_conservation_society Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Blue Mountains Women`s Health & Resource Centre (BMWHRC) Greater Blue Mountains Rotary @permaculturematters Acoustic Ecologist and author of ‘Deep Listening to Nature’, Andrew Skeoch @lacebrookstitchery Sustainable death care BMCC Sustainability and Waste team BMCC Bushcare team View the full program and reserve your spot for a range of activities here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Are humans the only species capable of grief? While grief is often treated as a uniquely human experience, any animal capable of forming attachments also has the capacity to grieve. Join Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Animal Grief and Spirituality: Cross-Species Perspectives’ at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb, as she reviews key theoretical foundations of cross-species grief. The flip side of deeply caring for animals is the grief we also feel when we lose them - beloved companion animals, wildlife, or animals harmed by human activity. By validating both nonhuman animal grief and human grief for other animals, this presentation invites a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of loss. Reserve your spot here (link in profile for Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Would you like to help those around you who may be struggling with their mental health? Come along to the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb for an Introduction to Mental Health First Aid. Rotarian Ian Scott will define mental health, talk briefly about the most common mental health issues in Australia, and cover the basics of recognising when someone is experiencing a mental health issue or problem. He`ll outline what is covered in a full Mental Health First Aid course. We are planning to deliver a course later this year so it`s a great opportunity to learn more. Reserve your spot here (Link in profile for PH Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
At our Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Sat 28 Feb, Christopher Smith and Juan Roberson, Shared Reading facilitators, will introduce how the reading and discussion of great short stories and poetry can change lives and strengthen social connection, compassion, and empathy. Shared Reading, or social bibliotherapy, for all ages, is one of the most inspiring and magical ways of dealing with loneliness and the struggles of the human condition. "Shared reading makes the process of revealing who you are to other people safer." Learn how groups can be run in-person and online. Reserve your spot here (Wellness Weekend link in profile): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
You can view Christopher Smith`s TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dAxk61E0R88
It`s just under a week until the Blue Mountains Interfaith Gathering on Sun 1 March, starting with a smoking ceremony by Chris Tobin at 2pm. It`s the culmination of the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend which is looking at physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Afternoon tea will be provided. Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Join Harumi Hayakawa for an introduction to ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Saturday 28 February. You’ll get hands-on practice creating an arrangement and learn about the history and philosophy of ikebana, and how this calm, meditative practice uses flowers as a gentle and creative form of therapy. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Linda Moon has lived in the upper Blue Mountains since childhood and is a freelance writer for Australian media. A qualified naturopath, permaculture designer, mother and former student of social work, her passion is building local community, gardening, mental, emotional, social, housing and environmental health – all of which are linked!
As global food insecurity increases, research suggests that the ‘planetary health diet’ is one solution. This calls for a shift towards a plant-based diet and more local food production. Local social enterprise Farm it Forward is showing how this can be done in school yards and one backyard after another.
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