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Greywater is used water from a household that can be reused safely for irrigation, if handled correctly.
Greywater is used water from a household that can be reused safely for irrigation, if handled correctly.
What counts as greywater?
What counts as greywater?
Greywater includes water that comes from:
Baths and showers
Hand basins
Laundry (washing clothes)
This water has already been used once in the home, but it can still be useful for watering plants when applied properly.
What is NOT greywater?
What is NOT greywater?
Greywater does not include:
Toilet water (this is called blackwater)
Water used to wash nappies
Water that is heavily contaminated with fats, oils, or food waste
Blackwater must always go into a sewer or septic system and should never be reused for food production.
How does greywater work in the soil?Â
How does greywater work in the soil?Â
When greywater is applied directly to the soil:
When greywater is applied directly to the soil:
It moves into the root zone of plants
The soil helps filter and break down contaminants
Micro-organisms in healthy soil assist with natural purification
Because of this natural filtering process, greywater does not need chemical treatment before being used in gardens. However, it still needs to be used carefully and responsibly.
Because of this natural filtering process, greywater does not need chemical treatment before being used in gardens. However, it still needs to be used carefully and responsibly.
Why care is important.
Why care is important.
Greywater can contain:
Greywater can contain:
Soap and detergent residues
Small food particles
Oils and grease
Micro-organisms
If greywater is misused, it can:
If greywater is misused, it can:
Damage soil structure
Harm plants
Create health risks
For this reason, learning what greywater is and how it differs from other wastewater is the first important step before using it in food production.
For this reason, learning what greywater is and how it differs from other wastewater is the first important step before using it in food production.
đź’ˇReflectionÂ
đź’ˇReflectionÂ
Take a moment to think about your own household:
Take a moment to think about your own household:
Where does water leave your home after being used?
Which of these water sources could be greywater?
Which ones should never be reused?
You will explore why and how to use greywater safely in the next session.
You will explore why and how to use greywater safely in the next session.
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