What exactly is greywater, or "sullage"? The definition of greywater is "wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing". But we don't like to call it "waste" water. There are plenty of uses for greywater that can help make your daily activities more sustainable.

You see, greywater is different from your blackwater, which is water flushed from your toilet and kitchen sink. This is because greywater has no sewage or raw food particles in it. In fact, it can be used for a variety of different household jobs that don't involve simply dumping it down the drain. Many people use greywater for irrigation in their lawns/gardens (for non-edible plants) or for flushing their toilet. By using greywater for these purposes, they are cutting down on the unnecessary waste of fresh water and contributing to a sustainable future!

                                                     

Since greywater has already been used once, it's more than a little dirty. That's why before you use greywater for something, you must filter it. Otherwise, it's not good for you to touch it or use it in your yard. Once all the hair, soap, and other nasty things are gone, you're ready to recycle this greywater like a true friend of the Earth. You'll want to capture this water in some sort of drum for future use, but don't let it sit too long. Greywater, after a while, starts to stink because of the microorganisms living inside of it. For prolonged storage the water must first be treated.

A word of caution: before you start to recycle greywater, check in on your local government regulations. Some municipalities have laws against reusing greywater.

If you decide to use greywater in your home and yard, congratulations! You are significantly reducing strain on your community by lowering the amount of energy wasted treating water that didn't need to be used. You're on the path to becoming a global citizen and planning for a sustainable world for future generations. Good job!

Check back soon for tips and DIY projects to get you started living grey.