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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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Green Living: Greywater, sewage treatment and water wells

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorstephendv
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     
    The drillers have just struck water at 50m for our new water well. We aim to use this for potable water for our home - trouble is, I'd also like to install a greywater system (simple much basic to fruit trees) and an aquatron separator with treatment through a vertical flow reed bed both of which will be upstream from the well.
    Some details:
    - Distance between greywater/reedbed and the well is about 240 meters
    - Well will be about 70m deep
    - All of the land slopes gently towards the well

    There's nothing we can do about the location of the well, but the location of the greywater/reedbed is still to be decided, unfortunately no matter where we put it, it will be upstream from the well.

    Thoughts?
    • CommentAuthormike7
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     
    I should think 240m separation is plenty, but I'm no expert. The well borer who came here recently said 50m separation was enough, but it may depend on the local geology. What have they been drilling through?
    • CommentAuthorcontadino
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     
    I expect there are regulations somewhere to help you decide. One thing I would say is that it's worth getting your well lined so that it's only pulling water from the bottom of the well rather than the sides too. Some people here have unlined boreholes and they're a constant source of problems.
    • CommentAuthorsimeon
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     
    This is some information on this page on the environment agency website:

    http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/564321/?version=1&lang=_e

    might be a little helpful on the general issue of water abstraction.

    (I was unaware there was an enthusiasm for drilling one's own boreholes)
    • CommentAuthorstephendv
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     
    Thanks for the comments all.

    Posted By: simeon
    (I was unaware there was an enthusiasm for drilling one's own boreholes)


    This was out of necessity as there was no water available on the land and we need it for a planned olive grove.
    • CommentAuthorTerry
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     
    Protect the well from surface water with a ditch to lead it around and away from the well.
    •  
      CommentAuthorDAI_EVANS
    • CommentTimeSep 1st 2008
     
    Okay I haven't read up on any of my dissertation stuff recently but I don't see no reason why there'll be a problem the water at the end of the reed bed process is drinkable (if you can bring yourself to drink it after you know where its from). Reed beds work through nitrification which breaks down the excrement etc and through aerobic and anaerobic bacteria becomes harmless, which is one reason why they don't smell (except in high temperatures).

    If you have any specific questions on Reed beds I'll do my best to give you an answer, even if it means a night with my head buried in literature :cry:
  8.  
    We have a similar combination. There is a solution! the WET (Wetland Ecosystem System) devised by Jay Abrahams at Biologic Design, tel. 01 886 884 721. This is a soil based system planted with native species including reeds and willow and is EA approved. In our case they require it to be lined because of proximity to the well. Although we have dry composting toilets, I understand they can also deal with black water. I highly recommend talking with Jay...
    Carol.
  9.  
    hi all carol would you mind sharing your wisdom of dry composting toilets at it seeams the place we bought is dumping all black and grey direct into the pond and i am trying to make use of the two streams and large pond to there best advantage but cant afford high priced septic tanks or bio units thanks
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeOct 3rd 2008
     
    How about reed beds they are cheap -- even may give you an income!

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