Turning swimming pool backwash water into water suitable for amenity irrigation - organically - LJN Blog Posts

Just a very easy solution to a rare but potentially costly, (in terms of fines), problem.

With thanks to Dr Loveday Jenkins for this system, introduced at a 4 star hotel in Cornwall. It conformed with Environment Agency guidelines, whilst assisting to get a gold award in the sustainable tourism criteria. Although strictly speaking not sustainable, it was the best and cheapest system to deal with chlorinated backwash water, which due to the quantity and chlorine contained should not be allowed into private sewage systems and to date, despite it's simplicity, (although I assume someone else must be using such a system), it doesn't appear to have been copied. The design and parts were supplied by PFS in Helston, Cornwall and the final cost came to under £3000.00.

The backwash water is simply pumped into the top of a large holding tank, at least 10,000litres. Preferably open topped, although this is illegal in areas with public access, so a netting is required. Access into the tank is necessary as sediment needs to cleared at least once a year. Each backwash needs to remain in the tank for a period of at least 48 hours. Dosage of a nutrient rich 'organic' substance is added to a ratio of at least 1 part per 20,000litres. We used pure Comfrey based liquid fertiliser. An external tap is linked to a pumping system, which extracts the water from the tank at a height of 500mm above the base of the tank. (It is essential for this height due to the variety of chlorination products available, some of which contain additives which do not degrade and therefore need to be removed periodically.)

The pumping system leading to the external tap requires a UV filter attachment, according to flow.

The water is then suitable for irrigation on grass, (although we never used it on Greens, tees and high quality lawns), shrub and perennial flowerbeds. The water was regularly tested due to the close proximity of the Helford River and the designations imposed, and passed sufficiently. The water also was no threat to the biological sewage system installed, if there was no need for irrigation at any point.

Thought this was worth sharing as when the problem arose, there was no info about at all.

Cornish Stone Walls

www.paysagedurable.com

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