If you are like most people, you use 100 gallons of water, every day. You may shower, do a load of laundry, water the lawn, or wash your hands countless times. With a population of roughly 314 million people consuming resources at this rate, it is not surprising that water conservation has become a hot topic, especially in construction. Commercial buildings alone account for an estimated 17% of public water supply consumption. From hospitals to universities, design teams, owners, and facility managers are searching for ways to conserve resources and minimize expenses. Grey water recycling may be the solution.
What is Grey Water?
Water is generally regarded as white, black, or grey. White water is the clean water that flows to your faucet and is suitable for any purpose, including drinking, bathing, cooking, etc. Black water, conversely, is water that has been contaminated with human waste; it contains toxins and bacteria. Grey water falls somewhere in between, derived from showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and sinks. It isn’t potable but it isn’t toxic either. While it may be soiled by soap, lint, or even flakes of skin, some of it may be recycled for use in irrigation. This is referred to as grey water recycling.
How is Grey Water Collected?
Grey water is collected with a separate sanitary piping system that routes waste water from bathroom lavatories, showers, and washing machines to a collection tank.
How Does It Work?
- Wastewater enters the collection tank via gravity. A pump located in the bottom of the collection tank sends the wastewater through filter housing which consists of:
- Polyester mesh filters
- A separate filtration tank (vessel) containing OrganoClay media
- The final filtration tank (vessel) containing Coconut Shell Carbon
The grey water is then transferred into a storage tank and ready for use.
What are the Advantages of Grey Water Recycling?
- Greatly reduces water usage
- Provides water for landscaping
- Earns LEED points for your facility
Are These Systems Easy to Maintain?
Yes. The polyester felt bag filters will need to be monitored weekly after installation and possibly replaced every two weeks. The time frame for changing out the felt bag filters will vary based on the quality of the domestic water; however the interval should be established after four to six weeks of monitoring. The vessels include pressure gauges to indicate when the OrganoClay or Coconut Shell Carbon needs to be replaced and both can be purchased in bulk for cost savings. Most of the components of this system include a two year warranty from the manufacturers.
Is There Value in Recycling Grey Water Simply for Irrigation?
While statistics vary on irrigation as a percentage of total water usage for commercial business, most hover around 38%, making it a significant expense. Fortunately, landscapes do not require white water to flourish. Grey water recycling has the potential to drastically reduce resource consumption as well as utility bills for commercial properties.
There are other available methods of grey water recycling, in addition to the example used in this article. If you want to learn more about grey water collection applications, contact a member of the BCH team.
BCH Mechanical has been a trusted name in Florida construction since 1976, delivering innovative design, high quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service. BCH capabilities include HVAC, plumbing, medical gas, piping, sheet metal, LEED, Design/Build, 3D-CAD/BIM coordination, and HVAC service. Visit BCH on the web: www.bchmechanical.com.