By Evelyn Long, editor-in-chief of Renovated
Water footprint accounts for more than just what comes out of the tap. It’s the total volume of fresh water used when producing goods and services. This includes both direct use, like showering and running the dishwasher, and indirect use, such as the water used to grow, process and transport food. All these strain vital freshwater resources, which also have to contend with population growth, industrial demand and climate change. There’s no universal fix to this global problem, but greywater recycling can help minimize the impact.
What Is Greywater and Its Potential?
Greywater is gently used water from a home’s showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks and washing machine. It’s not fresh enough to drink but far too good to throw away. Recycling it gives the water a second job before it goes down the drain.
Don’t confuse it with “blackwater” from toilets and kitchen sinks, which have human waste and high concentrations of grease, oils and food solids. Unlike greywater, these waters require biological or chemical treatment to be reused safely.
Greywater recycling may not seem like much, but it’s a small, intentional change that can reduce one’s environmental impact. It’s a great way to reduce water consumption, similar to collecting rainwater to clean outdoor spaces and water plants.
How Greywater Recycling Slashes Water Consumption
Greywater is ideal for landscaping irrigation, which accounts for almost 8 billion gallons of water used daily in America. It can hydrate ornamental plants, shrubs and trees, reducing the need for potable water use outdoors. Besides lowering water consumption, recycling the water can even contribute to soil health. Data from soil monitoring sensors can track crucial metrics like pH and moisture levels, helping maintain a healthy status.
Non-potable reuse water is also great for flushing toilets. This application can save a significant amount of water, but it typically requires more complex plumbing and a dedicated filtration system to send treated greywater to toilet cisterns.
The average American household uses over 300 gallons of water daily, with around 70% occurring indoors. If there’s a lawn or garden, watering it can account for nearly 50% of water consumption, depending on the region. Greywater helps conserve a significant amount of water in both cases.
Greywater’s benefits also extend to the community. Most of today’s water infrastructure was built long before the global climate crisis and current population requirements. Time and excessive use both take a toll, resulting in leaks due to everything from corroding valves on water heaters to cracked hoses on irrigation systems. Greywater recycling can reduce the strain on aging and often leaky water systems.
Integrating a Greywater System Into Your Home
Greywater systems come in various types. For example, a simple “laundry-to-landscape” system involves a simple diverter valve on a washing machine that sends rinse water directly to the yard through a hose. It’s affordable, easy to install and may not require a permit.
A more complicated application — like an automated system with pumps, a storage tank and a multistage filtration to remove lint, hair and particulates — is a different story. It can power a whole-yard irrigation network or supply water for flushing toilets. However, it may require professional assistance and a permit.
Remember that greywater systems aren’t all or nothing. A laundry-to-landscape system is a great starting point for homeowners who want to see how it works and whether they like it before considering a larger investment in a whole-home setup.
If it’s successful, they can capture more water, maybe from showers and bathtubs. A plumber can help them install new valves to divert water from the sewer line to the landscape. Or, they can unlock the greywater’s full potential with a whole-home automated greywater system, which requires professionally installed systems for water collection.
Installing a greywater system is a permanent, functional upgrade that enhances a home’s sustainability, much like using energy-efficient LED lighting and smart plugs or timers.
Managing the Risks of Greywater
Greywater contains nutrients from soaps, skin cells and hair, which can fuel bacterial growth if it’s left to stagnate. Mold can spread on damp surfaces within a day or two, so any recycled water should be used within 24 hours and never stored in an open tank.
Regular maintenance is a must for greywater systems. This includes cleaning and washing the machine’s lint trap, ensuring even water distribution and checking for clogs and leaks in the system.
Water can pool near a home’s foundation due to greywater system leaks, which can promote mold growth. Mold can cause costly property damage and health risks for everyone in the vicinity.
For those who want to use it for gardening or landscaping, use plant-friendly, biodegradable detergents that are free of salt, boron and chlorine to avoid harming the soil and plants.
Also, use greywater only on non-edible plants. The water is not sterile, as it contains bacteria and chemical residues. While soil microbes can naturally process these, it’s best to avoid direct contact between the water and any food. Never use it to water root vegetables, low-growing leafy greens and surface-level fruits and vegetables.
A Zero-Waste Approach to Resources
Greywater recycling helps reduce the presence of linear water use in households. Instead of taking fresh water, using it once and discarding it, the method shifts the mindset to a more circular one. Greywater is not “waste” but a resource to be reused.
Today’s “disposable” culture and its consequences parallel water waste, partly due to the linear consumption model. Every year, the world generates 2.12 billion metric tons of garbage, which could increase to 3.40 billion metric tons by 2050.
Applying circular thinking to water use is just as critical as recycling bottles and cans. Letting slightly used water go down the drain is like throwing a valuable resource into a landfill.
Making Every Drop Count
As water is becoming an increasingly precious resource, greywater recycling can help reduce water consumption at the household level. It can reduce water consumption, lower utility bills and grow a lush, water-wise garden. It’s a smart solution for anyone looking to create a more resilient and sustainable home.