Greywater
Greywater
Greywater (also spelled graywater, grey water and gray water) refers to the relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances. It is distinct from blackwater in the sense that it does not contain human waste.
Pronunciation
Greywater: /ˈɡreɪˌwɔːtər/
Etymology
The term "greywater" is a direct translation of the German word "Grauwasser", where "grau" means grey and "wasser" means water. The term was coined to differentiate between the water that is safe to reuse (greywater) and water that has come into contact with fecal matter (blackwater).
Related Terms
- Blackwater: Wastewater containing fecal matter and urine. It is also known as brown water, foul water, or sewage.
- Potable Water: Water that is safe enough to be consumed by humans or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm.
- Non-Potable Water: Water that is not of drinking quality, but may still be used for many other purposes, depending on its quality.
- Wastewater: Water that has been affected by human use. Wastewater is "used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff or stormwater, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration".
Greywater Treatment
Greywater can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes, such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and industrial cooling. The treatment process typically involves removing solids, reducing the level of harmful bacteria, and filtering out harmful chemicals. There are several methods of greywater treatment, including direct diversion, greywater recycling systems, and constructed wetlands.
Greywater Recycling
Greywater recycling is the process of treating and reusing greywater for non-potable uses. This can significantly reduce a household's fresh water usage, and can also reduce the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated and disposed of.
Health and Environmental Impacts
While greywater is generally safe to reuse for non-potable purposes, it can pose health and environmental risks if not properly treated. Greywater can contain harmful bacteria and chemicals, and if it is used for irrigation, these can potentially contaminate food crops. Additionally, if greywater is not properly treated before being discharged into the environment, it can pollute rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Greywater
- Wikipedia's article - Greywater
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