February 9, 2007 With Australia currently in the grip of a drought that is threatening the water supply of several major cities, it’s not surprising that invention’s mother, necessity, is driving some ingenious solutions. Australian-owned Nubian Water Systems recently launched the OASIS Domestic Greywater Treatment System (GT600), a practical and affordable urban water conservation solution generating a saving of almost 400 litres of drinking water a day for the average 4 person household. OASIS takes the greywater generated by baths, showers, laundry and hand basins and treats it to a high quality suitable for garden irrigation, toilet flushing, clothes washing and car washing. The compact, above-ground design of the OASIS GT600 is ideal for urban housing. No excavations are necessary and the entire system can be up and running within 24 hours of delivery. The cost of the treatment system is AUD$7,590 (US$6000) and installation will vary depending on the site.
One of the great benefits of the OASIS GT600 is its capacity to deliver a reliable water supply for gardens. Property owners can be assured of a water supply for maintaining their gardens which typically contribute 8% or more to the value of their property.
Nubian Water Systems CEO John Huggart says: “ The OASIS GT600 summer launch represents a welcome boost for home owners coping with acute water restrictions for their gardens. Our system provides a regular, reliable source of high quality recycled water for garden use while typically reducing demand on precious town drinking water by 40%. This use of recycled water also substantially reduces load on municipal waste systems, which represents yet another important community cost-saving.”
Mr. Huggart continues: “An important ecological benefit of the OASIS GT600 is that the treated greywater is discharged at PH 7.0, a neutral level which doesn’t effect soil fertility. The treatment process is chemical free so no chlorine or other chemicals, which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, are added to the environment. The recycled water is disinfected to make it safe for human contact and allow its use for irrigation of fruit and vegetable gardens.”
An additional benefit of the system is that it decreases the harmful effects of high levels of phosphorus to 3 mg/L which means at this concentration it acts as a natural fertiliser and is of great benefit to the garden.
Nubian have estimated that if the 20.2 million people in Australia treated their greywater and recycled it, there would be a saving of over 700,000 megalitres of drinking water, enough to supply the total annual drinking demands of Sydney and Melbourne. In addition, by using a chemical free process, there would be an annual reduction in chlorine of 3,500 tonnes.
Commenting on the launch Mr. Huggart adds: “ The market has received the OASIS GT600 launch with great enthusiasm and Nubian have literally been flooded with enquiries and orders.” New housing developers and renovators in particular are finding the Nubian OASIS to be the ideal greywater recycling technology.
OASIS treats the greywater in a three steps process. The water is first screened to remove lint, hair and other particles, it then passes through media where contaminants are removed through absorption, biological process and filtration, and it is finally disinfected. The system has a collection water tank, a processor and a treated water tank where the recycled water is stored prior to reuse.
Frequently Asked Questions - Answers CEO John Huggart
Who or what is Nubian Water Systems?
“Nubian Water Systems was formed in 2005 by investors who recognized the need and urgency to practically address the increasing shortage of drinking water. Their vision is to provide reliable, sustainable and affordable on-site systems. It is an Australian company and there is an international patent pending for the OASIS GT600.” Is the OASIS treated water safe to drink?
“The system is not designed to produce drinking water, it simply saves the use of precious drinking water on gardens, car washing, toilet flushing and laundry.“
How soon after purchasing the OASIS Greywater Treatment System would a client expect to break even?
“Our clients don't just purchase our OASIS system to save on their water bills. They see it in the same terms as perhaps the purchase of a home theatre. It adds value to their property, enjoyment and lifestyle choices by guaranteeing the supply of treated water that can be used for gardens.”
“With a permanent water supply from recycling, they can be guaranteed water for garden use, whatever the water restrictions. This is a form of asset protection, maintaining and increasing the investment in their house, while adding to the pleasure they have in living in the house. Attractive gardens ensure a higher property price should they wish to sell. (Gardens are said to add up to 10% to property prices).
Developers use the OASIS as a selling point for new housing as it guarantees the prospect of a green lawn to the prospective buyer.”