Recycle Ready Guide – Hydraloop Cascade and Polisher

Updated on 2024-07-08

INTRODUCTION

Dear Hydraloop Customer,

We’re excited to learn that you’re embracing the efficiency of using water twice with Hydraloop. To ensure a seamless experience, let’s confirm that your building is ‘Recycle Ready.’ This guide provides you with the necessary information.

Preparing a building for greywater recycling is straightforward. Essentially, you’ll need to add some extra piping to and from the Hydraloop device, along with ensuring proper ventilation, power supply and Wi-Fi or ethernet access. Looking ahead, new builds worldwide will be designed and constructed with ‘Recycle Ready’ capabilities in mind. Thank you for taking this eco-friendly step with Hydraloop.

Owner Guidelines

This section of the Recycle Ready Guide is crucial for both the Hydraloop installer and the device user. Please review the Owner Guidelines and sign the Recycle Ready Checklist once all preparations are completed.

Plumbing & Installation Guidelines

The second part of the Recycle Ready Guide provides essential information for the plumber or contractor responsible for preparing the building’s infrastructure. Before the work starts, it is imperative that all parties involved thoroughly understand both the Plumbing & Installation Guidelines. Once preparations are complete, both the device owner and the plumber or contractor who prepared the building for greywater recycling co-sign the Recycle Ready Checklist and forward it to Hydraloop Partner for verification.

Water Lines Before Installation

Once the building attains ‘Recycle Ready’ status, the water lines will function through a temporary bridge connection, regardless of whether the Hydraloop device is installed. On the scheduled installation date, your Hydraloop installer will remove the bridge connection, place the device at the agreed-upon location, and establish connections to and from the device

OWNER GUIDELINES

Work with professionals
The preparation of your plumbing network should be completed by a verified professional.

Check your local regulations
Before moving forward with your installation, please check your local guidelines for recycled greywater reuse.

Submit your Recycle Ready Checklist before installation
Before the installation of your Hydraloop device, it is important to ensure the building is Recycle Ready. Together with your plumber or constructor, co-sign the Recycle Ready Checklist and forward it to your Hydraloop Partner for verification. If you do not submit the checklist in time, we cannot verify, and therefore cannot proceed with the installation.

Ask if your Hydraloop installer has a viable HDM login
On the agreed installation date, your Hydraloop installer must have a prearranged login for the Hydraloop Device Manager (HDM) with a Hydraloop Sales Engineer. Without this access, activation of the device cannot be performed.

PLUMBING & INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Size and Location

Location
Hydraloop recommends installing the device in a mechanical or technical room, basement, garage, or a laundry room.

Sound
A Hydraloop device is operational 24/7, collecting, treating, and redistributing water.

The distribution of reusable water via a distribution pump will produce a low decibel sound.

Temperature
The room temperature should be between 14­–40˚C | 57–104 ˚F.

Sunlight
Avoid direct sunlight on the Hydraloop device. It is not IP rated or UV resistant.

Greywater Inlet
The greywater inlet and inlet diverter should be positioned at least 2.2 m | 87” above the ground.

Service space
Allow at least 70 cm | 28” of space in front of the Hydraloop device face plate for maintenance access. A H300 device will typically be placed against a wall. A H600 device has two sides (left and right) that should both be accessible for maintenance.

Recycle Ready Plumbing Diagram – Cascade and Polisher

1Greywater supply from a higher floor shower, bath, hand basin, and/or condensation water supply from tumble dryer, air conditioning and heat pump.
2Greywater supply from the same floor shower, bath, hand basin, and/or condensation water supply from tumble dryer, air conditioning and heat pump.
3Lift pump (optional)
4Sewer
5Ventilation
6Area and plumbing for Hydraloop Cascade and Polisher, managed by Hydraloop installer
7Booster pump (optional)
8Dedicated pipelines for reusable water output for toilet flushing and washing machine (pressurized).
9Dedicated pipelines for reusable water output for topping up swimming pools
and garden irrigation (non-pressurized).

Plumbing Options

Hydraloop device on a lower floor – input by gravity
Greywater from the shower/bath or other sources is gravity fed into the Hydraloop device.

Hydraloop device on the same floor – input via lift pump
Greywater from the shower/bath or other sources enters the device through lift pump.

Plumbing Guidelines

Input Connections
For H300: Only collect lightly contaminated greywater from shower/bath and washing machine (with optional inlet diverter). Do not connect the Hydraloop device to dishwashers, floor drains, or a kitchen sink.

For H600: Only collect lightly contaminated greywater from shower/bath and washing machine (with optional inlet diverter) and condensation water from air conditioning, heat pump, and tumble dryer. Do not connect the Hydraloop device to dishwashers, floor drains, or a kitchen sink.

Output Connections
Reusable water can be used for toilet flushing, washing machine and/or distributed via an auxiliary outlet (for garden irrigation or pool top-up). Do not supply bidets and/or hand showers with reusable water.

Non Potable Water Identification
All outputs from the Hydraloop system must be identified with a non-potable water sign.

Power/Network Requirements

Ensure there is a power outlet or junction box within 1.2 meter | 47“ of the top of each Hydraloop device, as it operates on a 100-120V (60Hz) or 200-240V (60Hz) power supply.

Each Hydraloop device requires a stable internet connection via a stable Ethernet connection or a WiFi network that supports 2.4 GHz frequencies. A reliable internet connection is crucial for tracking the water treatment process and proactively monitoring device functionality.

Extraordinary Situations

Operation during power outage
Hydraloop devices operate seamlessly using a standard wall outlet. During a power outage, the device automatically switches to its backup batteries to safely drain the tanks, preventing any potential overflow. However, it’s important to note that during a power loss, the device won’t be able to supply water to toilets and/or the washing machine. To ensure continuous water availability, we recommend considering the following backup options:

  • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Invest in a UPS to provide temporary power and maintain the Hydraloop’s functionality during short-term outages.
  • Generator: Install a generator to supply continuous power, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the Hydraloop in the event of prolonged power cuts.
  • Selective Water Usage: If multiple toilets are in use, designate one toilet to be supplied by tap water during a power outage.
  • Backup Bypass to Tap Water: Implement a backup bypass system connecting the device to tap water as an alternative water source during power outages.

Water Hardness
Before installation, please check the water hardness level of the water supplied by your water utility. If the water in your region exceeds 120–180 mg/L (ppm, or parts per million) or 7 gpg (grains per gallon), we recommend installing a water softener and/or to ensure regular maintenance for scale removal. Descaling is part of the scheduled maintenance program. Your Hydraloop installer can add citric acid to the shower drain, which enters the Hydraloop device. The device then runs an internal cleaning cycle, descaling all essential components. 

Water Hardness Scale

mg/L & ppm ​
(parts per million)
gpg
(grains per gallon)
Classification
Less than 17.1Less than 1Soft
17.1 – 601 – 3.5Slightly Hard
60 – 1203.5 – 7Moderately Hard
120 – 1807 – 10Hard

Lift Pump Requirements

If gravity is not sufficient to move greywater to the Hydraloop device inlet, we advise installing a lift pump. A lift pump might also be necessary to remove wastewater from the Hydraloop device’s waste stream, depending on the device’s location within the building.

Install a lift pump in these 2 situations
1. To lift greywater and/or condensation water from the same floor or below the inlet of the Hydraloop device.  For example, the Hydraloop device is placed on the first floor, and the shower and washing machine are on the ground floor. The lift pump will pump the greywater up to the inlet of the device.
2. If the Hydraloop device is placed in a basement without a gravity-fed sewer,. In that case, install a lift pump to pump wastewater up to the sewer line.

Lift pump considerations

  • Control: Hydraloop devices are equipped with a power outlet at the back of the device for controlling the lift pump
  • Ventilation: ensure proper two-way ventilation for the lift pump by installing a ventilation stack that leads outside or by creating a relief line/overflow to the sewage.
  • Maximum flow: choose a lift pump that is locally available and has a maximum flow of 100 LPM/27 USGPM

Advised Models

  • DAB NovaBox 30/300 (230V)
  • Saniflo Sanivite (110V)
  • Liberty 405 Pump (110V, CSA-certified)

Booster Pump

If the required height or distance for transporting reusable water surpasses what the built-in distribution pump in the Hydraloop Cascade or the internal booster pump in the Polisher can handle, we advise the installation of an additional booster pump. Choose the specifications for this booster pump based on the requirements of the building.

WATER LINES BEFORE INSTALLATION

After the plumbing is set up for greywater recycling and is ‘Recycle Ready,’ you can switch the 3-way greywater selector to bypass mode. This will enable an alternative water supply to feed toilets and/or the washing machine until the Hydraloop device is delivered and set up.

Side by side set-up

Back to back set-up

1Auxiliary outlet
Reusable water, connect with flexible hose provided
2Backup water
With set-up 0 or A this is tap water. With set-up B and C, also provided by Polisher
3Wastewater to sewer
50-75mm | 2 – 3” sewer connection with rubber gasket provided
4Ball valve for maintenance
5Butterfly valve 
For controlling the water flow
6Main sewage pipeline

CONNECTION OVERVIEW

1Greywater supply for water from shower, bath and hand basin
2Condensation water supply for water from tumble dryer, air conditioning and heat pump
3Lift pump
4Sewer
5Manifold
6Cascade treated reusable water from AUX output
7Polisher post-treated reusable water as back-up water only applicable with set-up B and C
8Polisher
9Buffer tank
10Backup water
11Booster pump
12Dedicated pipelines for reusable water output
toilet flushing, washing machine, garden irrigation or swimming pool top-up
(with auxiliary outlet)

TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

Front view of H300 and H600

Side view of H300

Side view of H600

1Auxiliary outlet
Reusable water: connect with flexible hose provided
2Backup water With set-up 0 or A this is tap water. With set-up B and C, also provided by Polisher
3Wastewater to sewer
50-75mm | 2-3” sewer connection with rubber gasket provided

POLISHER COMPONENT OVERVIEW

Set-up A – Residual Disinfection

1Buffer tank
2Water pump
3Dosing pump
4Back-up water supply
5Water meter
6Chloride tank

Set-up B – Residual Disinfection and Sand Filter

1Buffer tank
2Electrical cabinet
3Water pump
4Dosing pump
5Back-up water supply
6Circulation pump
7Compressor
8Sand filter

Set-up C – Residual Disinfection, Sand Filter and Activated Carbon Filter

1Buffer tank
2Electrical cabinet
3Water pump
4Dosing pump
5Back-up water supply
6Circulation pump
7Compressor
8Sand filter
9Activated Carbon Filter

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

Hydraloop H300
Volume300 liters | 80 gallons
Cleaning capacity360 liters | 95 gallons per day depending on user behavior
Voltage100 / 240V, 24V internal
Average power consumption220 kWh/year, 25W during treatment
WiFiThe Hydraloop device needs to be connected with an internal 2.4 GHz WiFi-network or ethernet cable.

Wi-Fi Protocols: 802.11 b/g/n 
Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise 
Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6, SSL, TCP/UDP/HTTP/FTP/MQTT
Noise Level± 44 dB
Greywater input sources– shower
– bath
– washing machine (with inlet diverter)
Hydraloop H600
Volume600 liters | 160 gallons
Cleaning capacity850 liters | 225 gallons per day depending on user behavior
Voltage100 / 240V, 24V internal
Average power consumption460 kWh/year, 53W during treatment
WiFiThe Hydraloop device needs to be connected with an internal 2.4 GHz WiFi-network or ethernet cable.

Wi-Fi Protocols: 802.11 b/g/n 
Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise 
Network protocols: IPv4, IPv6, SSL, TCP/UDP/HTTP/FTP/MQTT
Noise Level± 46 dB
Greywater input sources– shower
– bath
– tumble dryer
– air conditioning
– heat pump
– washing machine (with inlet diverter)
Hydraloop Polisher
DimensionsHeight: 1800 mm | 70.9”
Width: 800 mm | 31.5”
Length: 600 mm | 23.6”
Cleaning capacity1700-8500 liters |  225-2250 gallons per day depending on Cascade size (2­–10)
Voltage100 / 240V, 24V internal
Frequency50/60 Hz
Peak power consumption1200W 
Normal state power consumption100W
InternetWiFi or UTP
Input water source Hydraloop AUX connection only
Input water temperature10–30 °C | 50–86 °F
Noise Level± 48 dB
Filtration techniqueSand/GAC* 
Sand filter volume weight 50 kg 
GAC* filter volume weight20 kg 
Sand mesh size 0.4 – 0.8 mm 
GAC* mesh size 0.80 – 1.0 mm 
Residual disinfection technique Solenoid dosing pump (0.375 ml/pulse) 
Disinfectant Hypochlorite 12,5%
Dosing (programmable) Standard 2ppm (= 0.2 mg/L)
Standard output pressure 3 bar
Standard output flow 60 L/min 

* Granulated Activated Carbon

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Auxiliary Outlet
This valve allows for the distribution of reusable water to be used for the garden, irrigation, or pool top-up (depending on your region). This outlet is non-pressurized.

Backup water
Water that is used as a main source of water in the building. This could be tap water, municipal water, well water, rain water etc. Another term for backup water is ‘mains water’.

Blackwater
Contaminated wastewater containing pathogens from human waste and other organic materials. This waste stream can come from toilets, bidets, hand showers, floor drains, dishwashers, and kitchen sinks.

Greywater
Lightly contaminated domestic water from the drains of baths, showers and washing machines.

Hydraloop APP
This is an APP that device owners can download on their smartphone. The APP monitors how a Hydraloop device is functioning, offers tips on how to save more water and gives encouragement when water savings in the building are at a high level. The APP will notify the owner when the 21-day Activation date (and a minimum of 20 showers/baths) has been reached and when the device is ready to distribute reusable water.

Hydraloop Device Manager (HDM)
Online monitoring system for the Hydraloop device. During installation, this platform is used for testing, verification, and activation of the Hydraloop device. After installation, the HDM is used for monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting and ticket generation. Before installation of a Hydraloop device, the HDM requires login credentials, provided by Hydraloop. Please ask your Hydraloop installer if your device has a viable login-code before installation.

Inlet diverter
This optional valve allows for the intake of greywater from sources other than the shower/bath i.e. the washing machine. By adding this valve to the inlet of the Hydraloop device, greywater from the washing machine can be treated for reuse.

Recycle Ready Guide
This is a guide provided by Hydraloop, aimed at device owners, plumbers, and contractors. The Recycle Ready Guide explains how to prepare and configure the plumbing network in a building, so it is ready to receive and recycle greywater.

Recycle Ready Checklist 
Once preparations are complete, the Hydraloop owner and construction professional verify and co-sign the ‘Recycle Ready Checklist’. Then, the Hydraloop owner sends the co-signed Checklist to their Hydraloop Partner. Without a signed and verified Recycle Ready Checklist, an installation date cannot be planned.

Reusable water
Greywater that has undergone various steps of treatment to be reused for toilet flushing, water for the washing machine and/or outdoor uses (irrigation, pool top-up).

Start-up Time
The Hydraloop device requires a minimum of 21 days (3 weeks) or 20 showers to develop the biological treatment process in the T2 tanks and become fully operational. If the device has not sensed 20 showers by 21 days of operation, the start-up time will last longer. 

Ventilation
This is placed along the greywater line to prevent anti-siphoning of water out of airlock. Ensure that the greywater input and sewage output both have proper two-way ventilation. Ventilation for greywater input should be above all greywater lines and end outside the building.