Pumps and irrigation supplier Stewarts & Lloyds has been exploring the use of their Salflo submersible dewatering pumps, namely the S and V series submersible pumps, in grey water systems for home, industrial and agriculture applications.

The supplier’s Salfo range of submersible pumps would normally be suited to industrial effluent, dirty water and or run-off water applications for dewatering of water collection points and flood control, in basements, basement parking and storage areas.

“However, these are now being trialled in grey water applications, which need a pump that is able to handle the solids, sludge and dirty water that might be found in a grey water application,” Stewarts & Lloyds pumps branch manager Gary Denham tells Engineering News.

Using harvested water is no longer only for gardens, or applications that do not necessarily require clean water.

New technologies are providing the homeowner, farmer, landlord and business owner with more options for the harvested water to be used in and around the home, office or site.

“Stewarts & Lloyds has, for many years, treated wastewater with its combination of old-school underground septic and conservancy tanks, clever plumbing and mechanical know-how,” he adds.

He highlights that the company has responded to the demand for a packaged solution by combining all the parts and processes of its successful wastewater treatment plants into one “plug-and-play unit”.

The water treatment plants, known as Big Red Harvesting systems, are now supplied to South Africa in a fully modular packaged wastewater treatment plant, off the shelf and ready to install.

Denham explains that a combination of a Stewarts & Lloyds’ Big Red Harvesting system and a Salfo submersible pump offers clients a tried-and-tested modular wastewater treatment plant, suitable for harvesting grey water.

Going Grey

Denham says the Big Red Harvesting system is manufactured using pure linear low-density polyethylene and is 100% recyclable.

“An ultraviolet-protected and versatile, durable tank system made of polymer plastic, is offered to clients with the size of the system being determined by application and site.”

The units can be installed below ground, above ground or containerised for export and are ideal for remote estates, rural schools, clinics, hospitals and urban developments. They are also cost effective, efficient and solar compatible.

“The systems offer flow rates from about 1 k