When we had a water meter installed I of course looked at ways to save on water usage. One of the most obvious was to use rainwater to flush the toilet. However, time being tight and having a million and one other jobs to do I didn't plumb anything in but did install a barrel to catch the water. It still gets used as the toilet is right by the back door and I just use a bucket, I like simple me
The barrel does have insect larve living in it even though it is lidded and this hasn't really bothered me although it absolutely horrified my sister-in-law, but is it actually a problem and if so should I be concerned and what to do if it is?
Pete
"Grey water"
- Thomzo
- A selfsufficientish Regular
- Posts: 4311
- Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:42 pm
- Facebook Name: Zoe Thomas
- Location: Swindon, South West England
Re: "Grey water"
Hi
The insect larvae could be a problem if they hatch into midges and start biting. I use a small bit of copper wire in the water, or a piece of copper pipe if you have it. I can't remember why it works but it seems to. If you can put a sealed lid on the top, that helps to keep the adults out so that they can't lay their eggs in the water.
Cheers
Zoe
The insect larvae could be a problem if they hatch into midges and start biting. I use a small bit of copper wire in the water, or a piece of copper pipe if you have it. I can't remember why it works but it seems to. If you can put a sealed lid on the top, that helps to keep the adults out so that they can't lay their eggs in the water.
Cheers
Zoe
-
- Living the good life
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 11:40 am
- Location: Central United States
Re: "Grey water"
A goldfish is nice too--just be careful not to "flush" him!
What if you're wrong? What if there's more? What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
Nichole Nordeman----Brave
Nichole Nordeman----Brave
-
- Living the good life
- Posts: 493
- Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:13 pm
- Location: south staffordshire
Re: "Grey water"
Thanks for those ideas, I'll probably give the copper wire a try first , no offence to the goldfish method.
Thinking about it I have read about people putting copper strips on roofs to combat moss growth and copper roofs I've worked on are normally quite clean. Right off to bend a bit of wire
Pete
Thinking about it I have read about people putting copper strips on roofs to combat moss growth and copper roofs I've worked on are normally quite clean. Right off to bend a bit of wire
Pete
- mrsflibble
- A selfsufficientish Regular
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:21 pm
- Location: Essex, uk, clay soil, paved w.facing very enclosed garden w/ planters
Re: "Grey water"
*adds copper wire to hubby's work-based-bin-diving list*
we use the grey water from our dryer for the plants.
we use the grey water from our dryer for the plants.
oh how I love my tea, tea in the afternoon. I can't do without it, and I think I'll have another cup very
ve-he-he-he-heryyyyyyy soooooooooooon!!!!
ve-he-he-he-heryyyyyyy soooooooooooon!!!!
-
- Living the good life
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:21 am
- Location: West Norfolk, UK
Re: "Grey water"
Copper is toxic to all aquatic invertebrates in even quite small concentrations, so that's why that works.
Curently collecting recipes for The Little Book of Liqueurs..