INNOVATION IN GREY WATER

RECYCLING
 UK Company Profile
Established manufacturer of system solutions in sanitary products.

Turnover 34m.

Total employees 249.

3 manufacturing sites 2 UK, 1 Far East.

Supply 3 principle brands to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM),

trade, retail and export markets.
 Wirquin:

Annual turnover circa 180m

8 manufacturing sites
Head office Nantes, France
1700 Employees
International presence
 What is Greywater?
Key Definitions
Greywater is waste water from showers, baths, washbasins, washing
machines and kitchen sinks.

Greywater reuse is the use of untreated greywater.

Greywater recycling is the use of treated greywater.

Source: Environment Agency

Why Recycle Water?
Commercial: Imbedded Hidden Water Usage

10 gallons water to make 1 pint beer!

37 gallons of water to make 1 cup coffee!

634 gallons of water to make 1 beef burger!

2,900 gallons of water to make 1 pair blue jeans!

60,000 gallons of water to make 1 Car!

Source: Globalization of Water- National Geographical

Domestic: Where does our water go?
 Average Family Usage & Potential Saving

Government Current Average daily usage = 150 litres / person / day

Average family of 4 usage / day approx = 600 litres / day

Average family of 4 usage / year approx = 219,000 litres / year

Potential Saving per / family / year re-using grey water = 65,700 litres / year

Average yearly cost of Water / family = 339 / year

Average saving / family / year = 102 / year

Source: Consumer Council for Water (Meter Based readings)

 Why Recycle Greywater:
Supply Side Issues

Water is becoming major political and

ecological issue of our age.

Pressure on water resourcing increasing.

Overall UK annual water availability in a

good year = 2,724m3 per person.
(Currently 20% lower than above due to current UK climate
conditions 1/06/2011)

Thames Valley availability 266m3 per person

(less than Cyprus 628m3 per person).

Increasing cost of supply due to the energy

used.

Source: European Environmental Agency

 Why Recycle Greywater:
Demand Side Issues
Stated government housing target 240k
houses per annum by 2016.

Large number of new houses being built in

south east England the most under
pressure region.

77m people in the UK by 2060.

Lifestyle changes, focus on bathrooms and

high flow devices.

Scarcity of land - building higher.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7583776.stm
 Our solution?...Ecoplay

An integrated water recycling system which collects

and re-uses bath and shower water for toilet
flushing

Self-contained unit that can service 1 or 2 WCs

Saves up to 30% on water consumption

Quick and easy to install with minimal maintenance

Suitable for both new build installations and retrofit

options
 Key technical points

After bathing/showering, water is collected,

dosed and fed into the cleaning tank

Water borne debris is removed by a floatation

and sedimentation process

Remaining water is stored and used for toilet

flushing

Ecoplay unit retains enough water for

approximately 20 flushes

To the end user, the system operates like a

normal WC
 An intelligent system
The Ecoplay Control Unit (ECU)
manages all aspects of the
system:

Monitors age of stored water and

recognises availability of incoming new
grey water

Retained water purged to waste if toilets

are not flushed for 24+ hours after a
period of regular use

Ensures safety and cleans the system The Ecoplay Control Unit

Keeps water young and avoids

stagnation and bacteria development

Controls levels of water dosing

 A safe system
ECU manages all health and
safety features:

Water is managed during absence

Manual purge button

Automatic mains top up

Safe Tube prevents accidental water

contamination

Operates in the event of power failure The Ecoplay Safe Tube

Air gap prevents back siphoning of grey

water into mains water supply
 An hygienic system
Integral dosing unit (managed by ECU)
delivers measured disinfectant to the
incoming grey water supply

Benzalkonium Chloride (BC) is dosed to

dilute the grey water at a level of 10 ppm

BC neutralises smell-generating bacteria,

leaving the WC fresh, clean and fragrant

BC is more commonly used for anti-

bacterial hand cleaners, eye drops, fish
ponds and cosmetics

A 5 litre container will last in excess of 12 The Ecoplay Dosing Unit

months before replacement
Ecoplay and water comfort
Designers can specify low flow devices and
small baths to tick the Code boxes
This is leading to complaints and problems
Drains blocking due to lack of self-cleansing
volume
WCs needing to be flushed more than once
Showers (sometimes 5 or 6 litres/min) being
unacceptable to users
Fittings are being changed and flow
restrictors removed
The water comfort issues are critical
Truly sustainable design takes a long term
view
Greywater recycling allows sustainable
specification of fittings
Tomorrow
Ecoplay C
Smaller foot print

Enhanced technical operation

100 litres capacity

Suitable for retro fits

No Cistern

Light Weight

Minimal Labour Requirements

Lower Price
 Key technical points
After bathing/showering, water is collected, fed
into the cleaning tank

Water borne debris is removed by a floatation

and sedimentation process

Remaining water is stored and used for direct

toilet flushing

No flushing delay.

Ecoplay unit retains enough water for

approximately 20 flushes

Aeration cleaning process

To the end user, the system operates like a

normal WC
 An intelligent system
The Ecoplay Control Unit (ECU)
manages all aspects of the system:
Monitors age of stored water and recognises
availability of incoming new grey water

Retained water purged to waste if toilets are not

flushed for 24+ hours after a period of regular use

Ensures safety and cleans the system

Keeps water young and avoids stagnation and

bacteria development
The Ecoplay Control Unit

Controls levels of water dosing

RJ 45 Connectors Wireless link

Monitors water used and saved

Heat Recovery Version
 Summary
Cost effective system to maintain water comfort

Reduces water and sewerage bills by up to 30%

Simple solution for Specifiers to meet the

requirements of the Code

Quick and easy installation works like a normal

WC

Readily available

An award winning, environmentally beneficial

What Next.
 Thank You

Q & A Session