waste water/ boiled water

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by miraflores, Apr 19, 2016.

  1. miraflores

    miraflores Total Gardener

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    can waste water discharged from the sink (sometimes with detergent inside) be used effectively to water flowers/shrubs (not edibles)?

    What about cooled boiled water from the kettle?
     
  2. CanadianLori

    CanadianLori Total Gardener

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    Kettle yes. Grey/sink water no. There's likely grease in that water :yikes:
     
  3. miraflores

    miraflores Total Gardener

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    would the detergent be harmful?
     
  4. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm not so sure:dunno: There are systems in use that will divert Bath water to a Water Butt/Tank outside for use in the garden, and I have, for years, refused to tip my washing up water down the drain and have thrown it onto the borders and lawn. There's usually plenty of Phosphates and Nitrogen in water from the sink and bath so it will get used by the plants. But, like many things, it's a personal choice but so far I have never seen any averse effects in the garden from recycling grey water.
     
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    • CanadianLori

      CanadianLori Total Gardener

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      @miraflores please share why you need to do this?

      I understand the first of the three r's, reuse and do my best to practice it, but ???

      oops that was the second r. Reduce, reuse, recycle :doh:
       
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        Last edited: Apr 19, 2016
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Kettle yes, I always top up my indoors watering cans with cooled boiled water, being on a water meter every penny counts. It's more difficult to reuse sink water, in small quantities I think it would be OK, but don't keep soaking the same area.
         
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        • Jiffy

          Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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          I've been useing grey water for year's, but mine go onto shurbs and trees as i have lots
           
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          • Linz

            Linz Total Gardener

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            Personally I wouldn't use my dish water.. it's filthy, I'd have loaves of bread and chicken nuggets growing from the crumbs!
            What about condenser water for plants? I can detect a slight smell of laundry stuff so have been put off using it for that reason.
             
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            • miraflores

              miraflores Total Gardener

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              yes I suppose I am thinking reusing, maybe after filtrating/purifying it somehow in a cost effective way. Massive amount of water get wasted via the sink. Yes, some of it would be really a waste of time to try and rescue (I also wouldn't like crumbs near the flowers ;)), but not all. Mumble mumble - thank you for the input.
               
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              • "M"

                "M" Total Gardener

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                During summer months, my dish water, kettle water and condenser water have been used in the garden. No scientific advice but they have saved the life of plants, trees, roses and shrubs.

                Mind you, I tend to do the old "school dinners" routine with my dishes (any one else remember those days? You had to scrape your plate leftovers into a big metal tub?). Even better now we have food recycling kitchen bins, quick flick of a spatula and voila (less mess in the water = less squirty liquid required too: win-win :thumbsup: ).

                When I was in China one summer, it opened my eyes to just how much we take our on-tap-fresh drinking water for granted.
                 
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                • Linz

                  Linz Total Gardener

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                  Thanks @"M" gonna start collecting the condenser water from now on and let it sit for a bit :blue thumb:
                  Kettle is always empty, only fill it for 2 cups at a time to save the world ..got it drummed into me it uses too much leccy!
                  As for scraps, I try to scrape all our plates into the recycling caddy a la school dinner routine but daughter dearest always manages to throw a handful of chips, crusts and god knows what else down the sink!
                  I agree, we really do take tap water for granted, very lucky to have such clean water and not walk miles :redface:
                   
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                  • "M"

                    "M" Total Gardener

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                    :roflol::roflol: Bless her heart; she tries :heehee:
                     
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                    • Linz

                      Linz Total Gardener

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                      She really does, top notch toilet blocker too the little tyke!
                       
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                      • CanadianLori

                        CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                        I'm surprised @Zigs hasn't added his spin on spreading second hand water... :heehee:

                        I have automatic dishwashers so I don't have full sinks of grey water to recycle but I still don't think I'd be bothered - lazy Lori....

                        I collect lots of rain water and use every drop of it in my planters and gardens. :)
                         
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                        • Linz

                          Linz Total Gardener

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                          Ew at the @Zigs thing!! :heehee:
                          Don't mention dishwashers @CanadianLori , I NEED one in my life and have no space or plumbing for one! And a water butt! Jealousy ensues! ;)
                           
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