What is greywater?

Greywater is defined as the wastewater that derives from households incorporating bathtubs, showers, sinks and washing machines. It does not include wastewater from bathrooms and toilets that contains urine and faeces, as this is known as blackwater (sewage) and is not safe for the environmentally beneficial reuses that greywater offers. Macerator pumps (ie. cutter or grinder pumps) are available to treat your blackwater. Greywater can be recycled, as it is somewhat clean, which means you can re-use or re-purpose your own household greywater.

What is greywater recycling system?

There are various ways to use treated or untreated greywater. Keep in mind that this all must be done safely and legally according to your state or territory’s regulations.

Some examples of greywater use are:

• Untreated- bucketing it from the laundry to the garden. Alternatively, connecting a hose from the washing machine to the garden.
• Treated (depending on the system you install based on your household’s needs)- car washing, laundry use, toilet flushing, spray irrigation for plants and vegetables.

This is known as non-potable water reuse, meaning the greywater is not used for drinking purposes. Despite treatment, human consumption of greywater is dangerous and therefore should not happen. If you want to permanently recycle your greywater, installing a treated greywater treatment system, such as vortex pumps are recommended. Careful consideration is necessary when choosing the system for you and legalities should be researched before installation. Each council, shire and state have different guidelines and regulations in place.

 Are there any risks to be aware of when recycling greywater?

Yes, there are certain things to avoid doing when you want to recycle your greywater. Not all greywater is safe for reuse due to contaminants including harmful bacteria, detergents, and chemicals (which are usually found in kitchen sink or laundry water). Consequently, taking precautions is necessary, do not use this type of greywater on your gardens. This is especially important for untreated use. Storage of all greywater should be no longer than 24 hours otherwise it becomes unsafe and must not be recycled.

 What are the benefits of recycling greywater?

Greywater use can help reduce the cost of your water bills. When done correctly, it is also a positive way to contribute to environmentally friendly practices. By reusing your household greywater, you are contributing to water conservation. Usage of tap water declines by 16-45 percent in households that reuse their greywater. Beyond your backyard, greywater can also be reused to become an additional source to existing water supplies in drought-stricken areas.

 Would you like to learn more about the benefits of greywater recycling?

Get in contact with our Global Water team  today for more information. We stock a variety of  submersible and grinder pumps suitable for your greywater and blackwater applications.