GREYWATER

what it is . . . how to treat it . . . how to use it


Greywater is washwater. That is, all wastewater excepting toilet wastes and food wastes derived from garbage grinders. There are significant distinctions between greywater and toilet wastewater (called "blackwater"). These distinctions tell us how these wastewaters should be treated /managed and why, in the interests of public health and environmental protection, they should not be mixed together.

COMBINED WASTEWATER

 


Greywater and Blackwater: Key differences

Greywater contains far less nitrogen than blackwater
Nine-tenths of the nitrogen contained in combined wastewater derives from toilet wastes (i.e., from the blackwater). Nitrogen is one of the most serious and difficult-to-remove pollutants affecting our potential drinking water supply.

Greywater contains far fewer pathogens than blackwater
Medical and public health professionals view feces as the most significant source of human pathogens. Keeping toilet wastes out of the wastewater stream dramatically reduces the danger of spreading such organisms via water.

Greywater decomposes much faster than blackwater
The implication of the more rapid decomposition of greywater pollutants is the quicker stabilization and therefore enhanced prevention of water pollution.
(see graphs Fig 2. & 3.).


Contents

Greywater pollution -- summary of scientific data

Planning a greywater system

Treatment options

Sample installations

Links

References



Courtesy of Hans LÖnn, Fastighetsanalys, Älgö

This site was composed and is maintained by Carl Lindstrom © 2000.All rights reserved . For permission to duplicate fully or in part,
please get in touch with him by email at the following address: carl@websida.com