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How to reuse greywater around your home
Katie Adema, August
2016
If there’s one thing every Aussie knows, it’s the value of water.
On average, we all use around 125 litres of water each day, showering, washing clothes and dishes, cooking and drinking, and using the toilet and bathroom sinks. That’s a lot of water!
Almost 60% of water waste in the home is produced by personal washing from showers, baths and taps, clothes washing and dishwashers – this water is often referred to as ‘greywater’ and can actually be reused in other areas of the home.
What is greywater and how can I make the most of it?
Every household produces two kinds of wastewater – blackwater and greywater. Blackwater is wastewater that has been mixed with waste from the toilet (and also sometimes kitchen sinks and dishwashers depending on which state you live in), while greywater is water from washing machines, bathroom sinks and showers. Blackwater is prone to contamination by disease causing pathogens, and so greywater is the main source of water that can be reused without extensive treatment. [caption id="attachment_2099" align="alignleft" width="690"] Image courtesy of Raymor[/caption] There are multiple advantages to reusing greywater around your home:- Reducing water bills
- Using less water resources
- Decreasing the amount of pollution and chemicals entering local waterways
- Easing the strain on wastewater treatment facilities
A royal flush
Did you also know that 30% of your total water use in the home is attributed to flushing the toilet? Now that’s a lot of perfectly good, clean water being used to dispose of waste. Treated greywater is perfect for use in the toilet, and can save around 50 litres of potable water in the average household every day. Each state has different regulations regarding the treatment of greywater, so it's best to check with your local council first before installing any new system. Greywater treatment and disinfection systems designed specifically to produce water for indoor use generally consist of the following mechanisms:- Coarse filtration to remove large particles
- Fine filtration and biological treatment to break down organic matter
- Disinfection by chemical or electrical means (chlorine, UV, ozone)