ecoplumber.net - waste water reuse

Grey water, sometimes also spelled as gray water, grey water or gray water and also known as sullage, is wastewater generated from processes such as washing dishes, laundry and bathing. Sometimes, the term excludes kitchen wastewater containing significant food residues. It is quite distinct from blackwater in the amount and composition of its chemical and biological contaminants. Grey water gets its name from its appearance and possibly also from its status as being neither fresh (white water from groundwater or potable water), nor heavily polluted (blackwater from feces or other toxic chemicals). From the point of view of treatment and pollution prevention, grey water decomposes much more quickly and is easier to treat and eliminate than blackwater, but is still considered to be a health and pollution hazard if released into the natural environment untreated.

In recent years concerns over dwindling reserves of groundwater and overloaded or costly sewage treatment plants has generated much interest in reusing or recycling grey water, particularly for use in irrigation. However, concerns over potential health and environmental risks means that many jurisdictions demand intensive treatment systems that are so expensive they usually cost more than simply treating and buying the tap water they save. Treatment methods and risks are poorly researched and understood by authorities. Despite this, grey water is often reused for irrigation, illegally or not, in drought zones or areas hit by hose pipe bans, typically by manual bucketing. In the third world, reuse of grey water is often unregulated and is common. At present, the recycling of grey water and its risks are poorly researched compared with its elimination.

Reuse of grey water
Grey water comprises 50-80% of residential "waste" water. It may be reused for other purposes, especially landscape irrigation (see http://greywater.net). The benefits of grey water reuse can include:

Lower fresh water use by a great amount
Less strain on failing septic tank or treatment plant
Grey water treatment in topsoil is highly effective
Ability to build in areas unsuitable for conventional treatment
Less energy and chemical use
Groundwater recharge
Plant growth
Reclamation of otherwise wasted nutrients
Grey water typically breaks down faster than blackwater and has much less nitrogen and phosphorus -- see http://www.greywater.com. However, all grey water must be assumed to have some blackwater-type components, including pathogens of various sorts.

Blackwater from the household and other venues can be eliminated via the application of commercially available composting or incinerating toilets in place of the classical flush toilet. Similar devices can be used to dispose of garbage from the kitchen sink disposal.

With appropriate plumbing, grey water can be used for irrigation without pretreatment (it receives high level treatment from soil and plant roots). However, long term research on grey water use on soil has not yet been done and it is possible that there may be negative impacts on soil productivity. If you are concerned about this, avoid using laundry powders; these often contain high levels of salt as a bulking agent, and this has the same effect on your soil as a drought.

Given that grey water may contain nutrients (e.g. from dead skin cells and the kitchen sink), pathogens (from your skin) and be discharged warm, it is very important not to store it before using it for irrigation purposes unless you treat it first. Apply it below the soil surface where possible (e.g. in mulch filled trenches) and do not use if for spray irrigation, as there is a danger of inhaling the water as an aerosol.

There are numerous "soft" processes based on natural biological principles such as using reed bed filter systems, the wet park systems or the living wall that can be used to clean up grey water.)

There are also "hard", direct processes, such as distillation (evaporation) which need not necessarily be as energy intensive as they might initially appear. There seem to be no commercially available "hard" grey water recovery devices suitable for on-site use in the individual household, even though a number of such technologies exist, thanks, for example, to the space programs.

Recycled grey water from showers and bathtubs can be used for flushing toilets, which saves great amounts of water. Many attempts at this have been made in Germany. However, untreated grey water cannot be used as flush-water as it will start to smell and discolor the flush toilet fixture if left for a day or more. Although the level of treatment required in this case requires the water to have low or nil BOD, it is not necessary for it to be treated to the same standards as potable water. Grey water recycling for toilet flushing had been generally considered to not be economical or environmentally favorable at a residential scale. However, a Quebec company, Brac Systems, has recently patented a cost-effective system that uses a chlorine treatment, and is selling the system in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. The Mars Desert Research Station utilizes grey water recycling for this use, and might be used on trips to Mars to reduce water consumption and increase oxygen generation.

In the water damage restoration industry, grey water is considered to be any water from the exterior of the home, or clean water that has been standing for more than 48 hours.