Water As A Recyclable Resource

Water is a priceless resource

Why take clean pure water and use it to flush toilets, clean the car, or water the garden when a less pure water would do just as well?

At Cress Water we are keen to promote the view that the cleaned effluent from a reed-bed system is a resource of secondary quality water that can be re-used very successfully for a variety of purposes. Our reed-bed and wetland systems can be designed to produce a very high quality effluent which can be stored in a large pond or small lake that could form the centrepiece of an ecologically balanced ornamental water garden, or a small wildlife sanctuary on the farm, and act as a reservoir at the same time. Large volumes of water can be stored in this way.

Since the water in the pond is constantly being replenished from the reed-bed system excess water will flow away to a stream or some form of soakaway and the top water level will always be maintained. Provided demand is matched by supply the chances of the pond being pumped dry are remote.

Rainwater off the roofs and storm water run-off can be redirected into these ponds too. Not only will they help to keep the ponds topped up but they could add to the volume of water stored and to that available for re-cycling.

As mentioned above secondary quality water can be used in the irrigation of orchards or flower gardens, recycling into the home to flush toilets or for washing the car. In fact, if the appropriate additional treatment is carried out, this water could be used for almost any purpose.

In agricultural or industrial applications, the potential for re-use (for instance cooling) is excellent and is a viable economic alternative to the many wasteful throw-away methods currently in use.