What is Aqua Gratis?
Cascade Water Products is a purpose-driven enterprise with the mission to help the world be more water efficient through the development and commercialization of domestic micro-greywater reuse technology. Aqua Gratis with SMART meter is low energy, cost-effective, easy to fit, use, and maintain – a system designed to significantly reduce domestic water consumption by up to 45%. Fitting neatly behind the toilet, it collects wastewater from the shower or bath (and even washing machine water if needed), filters and processes the wastewater, and stores 140 litres of greywater to flush up to five toilets in the house. This clever innovation not only supports sustainable living but also offers a practical solution in today’s challenging water crisis.
Main Benefit of Aqua Gratis
- Low cost, easy to fit, easy to use and maintain
- Designed for mass production mindful of the circular economy and high-volume manufacture
- A carbon negative system with low energy consumption
- Patented self-cleaning filters and design to British Standard
- Suitable for social and low-cost housing, focusing solely on flushing toilets to maximize synergy with domestic bathing
- Reduces domestic sewage by 30% and saves around 200 litres of potable water a day for a family of four
Greywater Reuse Innovation
Greywater reuse exploits the natural matching in domestic water usage – roughly the same amount of water is used for showering or bathing as is used for flushing a toilet over the course of a day. Cascade Water Products’ Aqua Gratis leverages this fact by capturing and recycling bath and shower water to flush toilets in the home, achieving at least a 30% saving on potable water. This state-of-the-art greywater recycling system, initially funded by Horizon 2020 phase 1, Innovate UK, and Scottish Edge, sets a new benchmark when it comes to enhancing water efficiency and environmental conservation.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
The Aqua Gratis system is designed to make significant reductions in water consumption and wastewater production. By reusing greywater, it helps reduce the environmental damage caused by water abstraction and climate change. The system not only contributes to flood mitigation by reducing wastewater flows but also supports water companies in trimming their energy requirements for water production and sewage treatment. This leads to overall energy savings of approximately 23% and annual CO2 reductions of around 86 tons per average EU household. It is a quiet, effective, and eco-friendly solution that fits with the growing need for sustainability in every home.
Technical Features and Operation
The overall Aqua Gratis concept is simple but clever. The process starts with the flow of water through a pre-filter to remove hair, followed by Tank 1 which allows for settlement and filtering of larger debris, then Tank 2 for smaller particles, and finally Tank 3 for short retention storage of greywater. A bespoke toilet cistern, gravity-fed directly from the storage tank, manages the flushed water while a carefully selected pump quietly transports stored water to toilets throughout the house. Additional features – like the innovative biocide, specialized coloring, and choice of tank materials ensuring no smells – add to the product’s reliability. A bypass valve is also in place if the bath or shower water is not suitable for re-use, and a self-cleaning mechanism uses gravity to reduce annual maintenance to just one visit.
Commercial and Practical Advantages
Designed with practicality and scalability in mind, Aqua Gratis is suitable for social and low-cost housing, aligning perfectly with the needs of modern infrastructure. Its design for mass production ensures that it keeps costs low and performance high, making it an ideal solution not only for individual households but also for water companies and developers. With integrated smart metering technology – featuring real-time sensors, wireless communication, advanced data processing, and remote performance monitoring – this system stands as a solid example of how tech innovation and environmental mindfulness can work hand in hand for a better future.
Project Impact and SDGs
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Future Prospects and Global Relevance
Amid a global water crisis where areas of the south of England experience rain levels reminiscent of the Sahara, Aqua Gratis emerges as a timely and innovative solution. As population growth, migration, housing demand, climate change, and aging water infrastructure continue to pressure water supplies, the benefits of greywater reuse become ever more vital. With 13% greater CO2 savings than its mainstream competitor and a host of other energy-saving advantages, this product is set to enhance infrastructure capacity by up to 30% – from reservoirs and pipework to sewage works. The system’s contribution to reducing both water supply and sewage treatment energy, in tandem with a significant drop in water company energy needs, makes it the missing element of zero carbon homes.
Whether seen as a breakthrough in sustainable domestic systems or as a critical aid in mitigating environmental impact, Aqua Gratis brings a refreshing mix of simplicity and ingenuity to the table – and that is making waves… in more ways than one.
