If our bleach wash neutralizes SH/CH then why not run our runoff/discharge through a small portable tank (5 gl bucket?) that has a method to add in proper amounts of bleach wash so this waste can be discharged into any planter etc automatically? Maybe an additional step would add plant wash just before it leaves the tank.
So, we contain as needed using berms etc, then have a simple electric sump pump with discharge hose at point of containment. The end of our discharge hose is connected to this small portable tank which passes this waste water thru bleach wash and plant wash before dumping into planter, etc. Assistant tech just re-positions this tank around the property as needed.
Thoughts?
Chad Eneix said
May 30, 2015
This is not a bad idea. I would skip the bleach wash step, as plant wash is a much better neutralizer anyway. No need to waste BW and all that wax that is in it. Really, the best bet is to collect and pump to the customer's on site sanitary sewer. Waste water treatment facilities do not mind bleach. They put it in anyway. However, your idea would maybe work for places sanitary was not an option. You could actually use this as a selling point, Steve. You are using cleaning water to water their vegetation. Many places have "grey water" watering systems like this in drought prone areas. I think you would need a bigger container than 5 gallons. The trick would be figuring out a good chemical and pH balance.
Bob Riddick said
May 31, 2015
I think Steve and Chad both have good ideas. I'd like to see more chemical data that would verify how quickly bleach is neutralized by either process. If this becomes proven information that could be put in front of an environmental engineer, it could save everyone time and money.
AC Lockyer said
May 31, 2015
Better idea is to send it to the sewer clean-out cap on the side of the house. BUT YES! a sump-in-a-bucket concept could be a good project for the Softwash Scientist's Laborotory.
AC
Troy Layman said
Jun 2, 2015
Not to repeat what was commented on above (good ideas all), but with SH, even if the SH is neutralized, wouldn't there still be plenty of salt remaining in the neutralized mix that could still harm the plants? Would Gypsum help any? From what I read it removes salt from the soil and replaces it with calcium. Would it do the same in a liquid mix? Now if you were working with CH to start with...
I remember AC said once in a video he was cleaning a friends roof for him in trade for a good steak dinner on the grill. AC brought over a demo model to do the job and while setting up he accidentally flipped the wrong valve and pumped a few gallons of PW into the SH mix tank, and by the time he was back on the roof spraying it was all neutralized. AC quickly realized the mix was too weak and went back and added more SH, sprayed again, and nothing...then quickly realized that little bit of PW neutralized the entire batch of SH in the mix tank. I've not seen the video in a while but that's basically what I remember. So I'm guessing less than 5 Oz. of PW neutralized the 40~50 gallons of mix?
AC Lockyer said
Jun 2, 2015
Exactly Troy😊
Troy Layman said
Jun 5, 2015
So back to Steve's idea. If you were using 100% CH, and had leftover roof mix or house cleaning mix or recovered runoff that you knew you would not use in the near future, and you added several ounces of Plant Wash, would the remaining CH mix be neutralized enough to be considered gray water that you could safely spray on plants?
I know I'm overlooking the fact I'd still have some PW in my tank and I'd need to rinse my tank or risk neutralized bleach in my next batch...I'm just bumping Steve's OP.
-- Edited by Troy Layman on Saturday 6th of June 2015 02:52:39 AM
AC and all of you creative/engineer types:
If our bleach wash neutralizes SH/CH then why not run our runoff/discharge through a small portable tank (5 gl bucket?) that has a method to add in proper amounts of bleach wash so this waste can be discharged into any planter etc automatically? Maybe an additional step would add plant wash just before it leaves the tank.
So, we contain as needed using berms etc, then have a simple electric sump pump with discharge hose at point of containment. The end of our discharge hose is connected to this small portable tank which passes this waste water thru bleach wash and plant wash before dumping into planter, etc. Assistant tech just re-positions this tank around the property as needed.
Thoughts?
I think Steve and Chad both have good ideas. I'd like to see more chemical data that would verify how quickly bleach is neutralized by either process. If this becomes proven information that could be put in front of an environmental engineer, it could save everyone time and money.
AC
I remember AC said once in a video he was cleaning a friends roof for him in trade for a good steak dinner on the grill. AC brought over a demo model to do the job and while setting up he accidentally flipped the wrong valve and pumped a few gallons of PW into the SH mix tank, and by the time he was back on the roof spraying it was all neutralized. AC quickly realized the mix was too weak and went back and added more SH, sprayed again, and nothing...then quickly realized that little bit of PW neutralized the entire batch of SH in the mix tank. I've not seen the video in a while but that's basically what I remember. So I'm guessing less than 5 Oz. of PW neutralized the 40~50 gallons of mix?
So back to Steve's idea. If you were using 100% CH, and had leftover roof mix or house cleaning mix or recovered runoff that you knew you would not use in the near future, and you added several ounces of Plant Wash, would the remaining CH mix be neutralized enough to be considered gray water that you could safely spray on plants?
I know I'm overlooking the fact I'd still have some PW in my tank and I'd need to rinse my tank or risk neutralized bleach in my next batch...I'm just bumping Steve's OP.
-- Edited by Troy Layman on Saturday 6th of June 2015 02:52:39 AM