“97% of the water on Earth is seawater, unusable for humans. Only 0.3% is available for human consumption — and that share is shrinking.” A video from Elbi made this point, shown during Building Value Together, the event organised by Mac3 last 22 May.
This scarcity is the everyday driver behind AQUAPURA, the Elbi division — part of the German Reflex group since 2023 — dedicated to treating and reusing non-drinking water, including grey water: water collected from showers, basins and bidets, excluding toilet and kitchen wastewater, which requires different treatment.
Once recovered and treated, this water can be put to use for irrigation and other applications that don’t require direct contact with people. The case was presented by Giovanni Gori, of AQUAPURA, during the event: a system in which Mac3 components also play a part, chosen to manage levels and keep the system running without interruption.
How the Elbi system works
The process begins with grey water being channelled to the treatment unit. A pre-filter catches hair, fibres and larger debris; the water then enters the bioreactor, where an aeration system and dedicated filling media start the biological treatment. A pump then moves the water to the ultrafiltration system, before it reaches the storage tank from which it’s drawn for its intended uses.
Each stage feeds into the next: the result doesn’t depend on a single element, but on the balance between treatment, pumping, control and storage.
The role of the Mac3 float switch inside the grey water recovery system
Inside the unit, the Mac3 float switch is responsible for controlling the water level: a function that may look simple, but affects how the whole system behaves, because reliable detection allows connected devices to activate correctly and avoids interruptions in the operating cycle.
The model chosen is the same Mac3 that gave the company its name, conceived by Dr Ronchi: designed to operate in clear, grey, moderately loaded and turbulent waters, with a double IP68 chamber to withstand infiltration and impacts, and dual filling-and-emptying operation.
It isn’t the only Mac3 component integrated into AQUAPURA systems. In tighter spaces, where a traditional float switch has no room to manoeuvre, Agma W Evo steps in, with its vertical movement; in managing storage tanks, the QuickStop valve provides instant opening and closing, reducing leaks and unnecessary pump cycles.
A stable component reduces the risk of faults and limits unplanned intervention: an advantage that shows above all over time, once the system is already installed and every intervention becomes more complex.
A collaboration built on everyday work
The relationship between Elbi and Mac3 grew out of a long-standing collaboration, initially focused on one specific product, which over the years has broadened to new needs and a more direct dialogue between the two companies.
During the event, Giovanni Gori explained that being able to rely on trustworthy manufacturers allows Elbi to improve not only its own systems, but also its relationship with end customers. Because bringing a product to market isn’t just about delivering it: it also means offering a support network that’s already proven, an added advantage when entering a new market.
The Elbi case tells exactly this story: a well-known, proven component that becomes part of a wider solution, designed to recover a resource that would otherwise go to waste and to ensure continuity for whoever uses the system every day. Not just for Elbi, but for the whole supply chain it’s part of.
Frequently asked questions about grey water recovery
What is grey water?
It’s water collected from showers, basins and bidets — excluding toilet and kitchen wastewater, which requires different treatment. Once recovered and treated, it can be reused for irrigation and other applications that don’t require direct contact with people.
What role does the float switch play in a grey water recovery system?
It controls the water level, allowing connected devices to activate correctly and avoiding interruptions in the pump’s operating cycle. Among the models used from the Mac3 range are the Mac3 float switch and the Agma W Evo float switch, ideal for use in narrow spaces. In managing storage tanks, the QuickStop valve provides instant opening and closing, reducing leaks and unnecessary pump cycles.
Find out more about the Mac3 range of float switches for water recovery and treatment. Fill in the form below to receive the Mac3 catalogue.