Published on: 17 November 2022
Wave International’s new compact, integrated and intelligent waste water filtration system was on show for the first time at METS. Contained within a single unit with a separate display screen which can be remotely mounted for easy viewing, the WavebriteTM SMART removes all contaminants from onboard grey water (waste water), including plastics, and discharges clean water to meet the EU Waste Water Standard.
Grey water is generated on board vessels by showers, hand basins, washing machines and from the galley. Many craft have grey water holding tanks which can be emptied in port, but all too often vessels simply discharge contaminated water overboard, creating unnecessary pollution. Grey water tanks also create extra weight in the boat, increasing the power required to propel them, and thereby further increasing emissions.
The WavebriteTM SMART grey water system is compact and lightweight. Easy to install in new builds or as a retrofit, the WavebriteTM SMART includes a multifunction display screen which shows the flow rate, daily and total volumes of filtered grey water, and the condition and status of the filters.
This intelligent sensor data and display function has been developed jointly by Wave International and Simarine, and adds a new level of user functionality, providing reassurance that all the unit’s filter and components are operating effectively. This is particularly important when vessels are in Marine Protected Areas, or in marinas or close to shore where emitting polluted water could result in fines.
The input of grey water is controlled by a level switch located in the waste water sump, which comes supplied with the unit. Up to 20,000 litres of grey water can be processed before the main filter needs to be changed, which is indicated by a clear warning signal on the display panel. A QR code enables users to easily access all the unit and filter replacement information. Data available also shows the flow rate and cumulative volume of grey water filtered over the lifetime of the WavebriteTM SMART main module, with indicators on the display screen showing if any maintenance is required. For ease of use, the unit’s multifunction display screen can be set up in a remote location, such as the helm, or nav station, enabling users to easily see all vital grey water data at a glance.
Paul Gullett, MD of Wave International says: “Dealing with grey water is a major issue. The development of the WavebriteTM SMART is in response to an increasing number of boat builders and users wanting a more integrated system. It is suitable for a wide range of craft from day boats to cruising sailing yachts, right up to superyachts and commercial vessels. This easy to install, compact plug and play unit, which comes as a single package, ensures only clean water to the highest EU standards is emitted overboard. It removes the need to have a separate grey water holding tank, and enables boaters to be confident of maintaining the highest environmental standards wherever they are in the world. Having vessels fitted with grey water filters also benefits many marinas, which usually have to pay to get grey water recycled.”
Wave International’s highly sophisticated filter systems remove toxins, phosphates and pollutants, such as soap, grease, oils and microbeads from grey water. All of these cause huge amounts of environmental damage. Phosphates encourage rapid algal growth, and when overrun by algae, eco-systems are eventually depleted of oxygen, causing fish and other aquatic life to suffocate. Degreasers found in washing up liquids and soaps strip the natural oils from fish gills making it difficult for them to breathe, whilst microplastics and micro fibres are now commonly found in the living tissues of marine and freshwater life.
Other products available from Wave International include the Wavebrite Grease Trap, which can be fitted where there is extensive galley and cooking waste, and will remove all solids and grease first, prior to being filtered through the WavebriteTM SMART, Wavestream bilge water filters, PROStream filters used to filter water prior to going through a watermaker, Flostream drinking water filters and Waveair tank vent filters removing smells and odours from below deck.
