A Grey Water Dam Design for the Treatment and Reuse of Grey Water from Single and Multiple Households

Abstract

An innovative design for the treatment and reuse of grey water is presented in the form of a grey water dam which is an outgrowth of the vertical grey water tower. A hydraulic equation has been formulated and is presented in this paper which is used to determine the seepage path within the grey water dam, and determine the dimensions of the dam components. The hydraulic equation model also helps in avoiding soil piping problems by keeping the phreatic line within the grey water dam. Vegetables are planted around the surface of the dam as a reuse option while helping recycling of water in the form of evapotranspiration. A successful pilot trial of this dam was run in Mnyamatsini area in Swaziland which can accept grey water from multiple households.