What is Greywater? Greywater is the wastewater stream from all sources other than the toilet (toilet water is often called blackwater or sewage). It is called greywater because it appears this colour, or turns grey after a short storage period.
The average Australian household uses about 800 L per day for both inside and outside use.
Typical values for the volume of greywater produced ranges from 100 to 200 litres per person per day. Greywater can be reused in a variety of ways, such as watering garden plants and for toilet flushing. Watering our gardens with greywater can be easily achieved. Water is too valuable a resource to waste, and any endeavour to reduce freshwater consumption or reduce wastewater disposal and treatment (and the energy this consumes) should be encouraged.
More importantly, we should endeavour to reduce our water consumption by instigating a range of strategies which include installing reduced-flow shower heads, using water-efficient washing machines, turning off the tap when cleaning your teeth, and taking shorter showers.