The wicking bed is a self-watering system that leverages the natural ability of compost to draw water up like a sponge. This method can effectively utilise the steady flow of grey water discharged from homes, minimising the amount that enters streams and rivers. We have two examples to share and both are passive and operate using gravity.

The grey water falls into a trench located along the front of our house. This trench is filled with compost and sealed, except for a spill-over pipe at one end. As the grey water percolates through the compost, it is naturally filtered, running clear by the time it spills into the next wicking bed. Instead of washing with synthetic chemicals, we’ve opted for natural products, benefiting both us and the soil’s ecosystem.