Greywater is domestic wastewater but does not include toilet waste. (Water containing fecal matter is known as blackwater.) Greywater includes the water that flows down the drain after people shower, wash their clothes, wash their dishes, etc.
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Greywater recycling is a great way to reduce water consumption and conserve resources. Without greywater recycling, wastewater that is non-toilet based is sent to a sewage treatment facility together with the sewage water. A recycling system at home will run the greywater through a filtration system and send the filtered water back to the garden hoses or to the toilets for flushing. Recycled greywater is appropriate for a number of non-potable applications.
A greywater recycling system at home allows you to use the wastewater at least twice before it is sent to the sewage system. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of a greywater system:
- Decreases water use – Because you recycle greywater and use it for non-potable purposes at home, your water consumption can be reduced by as much as 50 percent. That goes a long way in helping Mother Earth.
- Saves money – A reduction in water consumption means that you will be paying less for your water bills. Installing a greywater recycling system will not cost you much money, but the amount that you do spend can be easily recouped in your water bill savings.
- Reduces gas use – Greywater doesn’t just lower your water bill; it also reduces your gas bill. Your water heater uses gas to warm the water for showers, baths, dishwashing, clothes washing, and more. Hot water goes down the drain after it is used, but if you have a greywater recycling system, you can use the thermal energy of the greywater to heat the incoming water. This will reduce the need for energy to heat your water.
- Relieves the burden on sewage facilities – Most jurisdictions are struggling to meet the demands of the sewage system. A greywater recycling system cuts down on the amount of the water sent to the sewage system.
- Preserves nutrients – Greywater contains nutrients that plants need. When you send the greywater to the sewage system, nutrients are wasted. When you recycle the greywater, it can nourish your landscaping.
Ask a professional plumber about setting up a greywater system and help the earth and your bank account at the same time.