We’re all used to recycling the cardboard and soda cans that come through our homes, but did you know you can recycle your home’s used water, too? (Don’t worry; we’re not talking about the really dirty stuff!)
As it turns out, used household water can be placed into two categories based on the amount of organic content it contains: sewage (high organic load) and gray water (low organic load). While sewage should always be diverted to your local sewage treatment plant, gray water can be collected and recycled around the home in various ways.
Separating gray water from household sewage isn’t just a great way to reduce your household’s environmental footprint; it’ll help you save on your monthly water bill. Reportedly, an average person uses around 101 gallons of water every day, much of it coming from the bathtub, washing machine, and shower.Don’t let that lightly used water go to waste! Here’s everything you need to know about recycling gray water in your home.
Gray water is defined as gently used household water that comes from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines. Wastewater from kitchen sinks, toilets, or any other source that may be contaminated with feces, is not considered gray water.
Gray water is distinguished from household sewage based on the amount of organic content in the water. While organic matter like food, dirt, and biological materials (such as perspiration or hair) are common in gray water in small amounts, the concentrations are so low that the water can be safely repurposed in various ways. Sewage, on the other hand, contains too much organic content to be safely reused at home and should always go to your city’s sewage treatment plant. Used water from toilets and kitchen sinks is
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