How to Recycle Wastewater in Buildings – Methods and Technology
Written by AOS Treatment Solutions on February 6, 2018
Recycling wastewater is the method of treating and reusing water for another purpose, such as agricultural irrigation or industrial processes. Recycled wastewater can be used to flush toilets and replenish the groundwater levels of water. This method is efficient and can save businesses money, but how safe is it and how easy is it to set up?
With cities like Cape Town running out of their water, using resources to the max is vital for a sustainable future. Here’s how to make the most of your wastewater in a world where climate change is impacting how we live.
How to Recycle Wastewater
Safe groundwater treatment requires engineers with expertise in groundwater treatment solutions. The wastewater recycling process involves a combination of technologies, depending on the source of the water itself and the future use of the wastewater. Some recycling methods, such as flushing toilets, are relatively low-level processes, whereas wastewater destined for agricultural land will require more treatment.
Gray water is the waste water from washing machines or dishwashers and may contain food particles. It does not include fecal matter, which is present in black water and requires a more intensive recycling process.
Activated charcoal filters attached to a pump are an effective method of treating gray water. They can remove inorganic compounds and organic chemicals but can be costly to install in a plumbing outlet.
Another method used in wastewater recycling is aerobic biological treatment, which involves pumping oxygen into water storage tanks. Aerobic biological treatment allows beneficial bacteria to destroy the organic contaminants in the wastewater. Storage tanks installed in buildings are possible.
Chemicals such as chlorine can be used to destroy harmful bacteria and organic matter in the water. Chemical treatment is easy to do but is not as environmentally friendly as other methods.
Membrane bioreactors use a combination of filtration and biological treatment to treat wastewater. The biological treatment works on the contaminant consuming microorganism principle, while the filtration removes pathogens and is an effective way of recycling water.
How to Build a Water Recycling System
Integrating a wastewater recycling system into a building requires some planning and expertise from qualified engineers or water treatment consultants experienced in groundwater treatment solutions. You’ll need to consider how to recycle the water and the methods you’ll need to incorporate into the building itself. Most buildings have a combination of two means for filtering gray water for reuse.
Getting an assessment done is the first step, and then planning where the system will go within the building follows. It may need storage space, depending on the method. Including a water recycling system in a building should be done while plans are being developed to ensure it is integral to the design. Older structures can also be adapted to take recycling systems for water.
Getting an expert is one of the best steps you can take when dealing with wastewater recycling, as they will guide you through the installation process and the ongoing maintenance. Show that you are ahead of the game and contact AOS to start planning that wastewater recycling system today.