One of the easiest ways to reduce your water usage costs and your water footprint is to invest in a greywater recycling system. These unique systems are increasing in popularity with eco-friendly homeowners everywhere, so let’s take a look at what greywater recycling is, and how it can benefit you:
What is Greywater Recycling?
Greywater recycling systems collect gently used water that has been used in your sinks, showers, tubs, and dishwashers; purifies it and pumps it into your toilet and any outdoor taps or spigots.
While grey water is not safe to consume due to the presence of dirt, food, hair, grease, and household cleaning products, it is perfect for use in the garden and can be used to fill toilet bowls instead of contaminating fresh water with waste. The presence of contaminants in the water gives it a dull grey hue, hence the name “greywater.”
These types of systems are already popular with large hotels, hostels, and university and college campuses, but in recent years grey water systems have become increasingly more popular with homeowners because of their ability to help cut costs and reduce their ecological footprint.
How Can You Reuse Greywater?
The most common way to reuse greywater is to install a pumping system which collects water used in your washing machine, shower, tubs and sinks and then treats it before pumping it into your toilets.
For urban residents the most obvious benefit to installing a greywater recycling system is that you can save on your water bills.
If you live in a rural home which is dependent on a septic tank, or if you have a cottage or cabin, greywater recycling can have a significant impact on how frequently you need to empty your septic tank.
Another way that you can use greywater is to connect your system to an outdoor faucet or irrigation system. While grey water is not safe to consume, it’s perfectly safe to use for watering your yard or garden, and can help reduce how much valuable fresh water is used for this purpose.
Is Having Your Own Greywater Recycling System Safe?
Yes, installing a greywater recycling system is perfectly safe, but it’s important to enlist the help of qualified plumbing technicians to ensure that it is connected properly.
That way you can be sure that your recycling system doesn’t leak grey water into your fresh water plumbing system, and you will prevent potential plumbing issues than can arise from DIY plumbing such as leaks, connection issues, and flooding.
How Can You Make Your Water Use More Eco-Friendly?
Other ways that you can make your water use more eco-friendly are:
● Take shorter showers
● Fix leaking pipes and fixtures as soon as you notice them
● Turn off a running tap while brushing your teeth
● Collect rainwater to use for your garden or lawn
● Use water saving appliances
For more information about how you can safely install a grey water recycling system in your home, contact the experts at Gene Johnson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical in Seattle, WA at 206.792.7495 today.
