Photo credit:
Jeremy Levine Design
Greywater systems allow homeowners to filter greywater for use in watering gardens, yards and plants. Greywater, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as dish washing, laundry and bathing. Greywater comprises 50-80% of residential wastewater. Greywater gets its name from its murky, cloudy appearance. In recent years concerns over dwindling reserves of groundwater and overloaded or costly sewage treatment plants has generated much interest in the installation of personal and commercial greywater recycling. By not disposing greywater into septic systems the septic tank and drain field do not become overtaxed with fluids. In cities the sanitary sewer system also benefits from less volume of greywater to treat and process. In areas where fresh water is scarce, especially during the summer months, garden and lawn watering contributes to freshwater depletion, lower reservoirs, wells and rivers result from increased fresh water usage.
There are basically two types of greywater systems, gravity fed manual systems and electrical pump driven systems. The manual systems do not require electricity or pumps because they work on gravity redirecting the greywater to the desired location. A large area is usually required to install these types of systems outside. Systems requiring electricity are more self contained and can be installed indoors. Some systems entail recycling the water by re directing it without purifying it while others purify and decontaminate it through the use of treatment ponds, aerobic or anaerobic filtration. In all instances municipal codes and local ordinances must be considered.
It is important when using greywater recycling systems to choose detergents and products for usage in the home that are eco-friendly.
How to green your detergent usage
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