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The Water Leech: Low-Cost Portable Grey Water Recycling |
11 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Green Living, Green Products, Recycling | October 18, 2007 | ||
Here’s a product for those looking to recycle household water. An Australian inventor has come up with the Water Leech — a portable grey water capture device that is rechargeable and about the size of a breadbox. From the article,
“The pump is powered by a rechargeable battery instead of a wall plug to prevent any possibility of electric shock while it’s in operation. When the Water-Leech tank is full, owners simply wheel the unit outside to water their plants. (Providing biodegradable soaps and detergents are used, water from showers, baths, laundry, sinks and dishwashers is completely reusable.)”
Currently, the “Leech” costs about $177US. That’s not a bad price for something that’s portable (most grey water systems are embedded in a home’s plumbing scheme) and I know several people out West that could use something like this for conserving water. The only problem is, it’s only still available in Australia. Inventor Paul O’Callaghan is taking the success of sales there and working on an international sales network, so perhaps soon we’ll see this stateside. With a different name. Please.
:: water leech via design corner
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SBC said,
I placed an order with Water Leech 10months ago and I am still waiting for delivery. They refuse to return calls, their customer service number is diverted to a mobile that does not answer, I have emailed them around 15 times (with no response). They gladly accepted my money and now refuse to advise what is happening with my delivery. There is no street address to follow them up with
I urge you to think long and hard before you purchase anything off this company – they clearly have some financial issues and management issues.
It’s time for me to take legal action on this matter, as I understand many other people are considering
Chris said,
Ialso placed an order approx 6 months ago for a grey water recovery unit from Water-leech and have at this time not seen deliver of the system. I have tried phoning and emailingwithout any success. I have also reported this scam, and have now noticed that the web sites are not accessible.
My lesson has certainly been learnt the hardway.
Brian F said,
Us too – we lodged an order in May 2007 and despite emails & phone calls, the order has not been met.
We have registered a complaint with PayPal but don’t expect anything to come of this.
Tina D said,
Me too! Made the order May last year, no product, no response, and definately no refund. Maybe we can get hold of the inventor? I think legal is the only option.
melissa said,
I also sent money , have tried to contact them, initially I did make contact and was told there was a delay in the delivery but that it would arrive in 4-6 weeks. My order was over 11 months ago and I have even contacted consumer affairs. I still have not heard anything!! Beware
melissa said,
I have contacted consumer affairs, this is a scam and they are taking action, please get in touch and let them know what has happened to you. Contact Saul on 03 86846274.
Sophie Cavanagh said,
I too have been scammed by the Waterleech. I purchased a 30lt unit in June 2007 and still haven’t received it. I have lodged a complaint through Victorian Consumer Affairs. I have also lodged my story through Today Tonight and A Current Affair programs. I urge anyone else to do the same.
Justin Emery said,
I’m in the same boat.
I urge anybody who has been scammed to contact consumer affairs (I have with the Victorian branch). They are looking into water leech and the owner, and any further info anybody can provider, like email commuications, telephone conversations, print outs of messages that appeared on the web page etc would assist their case.
If you go to this link and enter the appropriate details they will then get back to you to provide further info. The more people that complain the more hope there is of getting our money back.
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256F2B00224F55/page/Online+Services-I+have+a+problem+%28lodge+a+complaint%29-Consumer+Complaint?OpenDocument&1=960-Online+Services~&2=430-I+have+a+problem+%28lodge+a+complaint%29~&3=10-Consumer+Complaint~
Jim said,
I too had the same issue.
After numerous phone calls and e-mails where they kept promising delivery soon, they eventually sent me a cheque which we promptly banked.
Fortunately it did clear.
Jolanda said,
Waterleech is a good idea but a bad operator. It appears Paul O Callaghan has expanded into the US with the same level of customer service but at a hugely inflated price. Very disappointing. I guess I’ll have to go back to my original idea of making my own.
Sam said,
You’ll find Mr O’Callaghan here:
http://www.magistratescourtvic.ozehosting.com.au/cgi-bin/mc_crim_rec.pl?casenum=X00276545&date=11062008