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Guidance Manual for Separation of Graywater from Blackwater for Graywater Reuse (WERF Report INFR4SG09a)
Citation:
Sharvelle, S. AND L. Roesner. Guidance Manual for Separation of Graywater from Blackwater for Graywater Reuse (WERF Report INFR4SG09a). Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
♦ Provides step-by-step guidance on source separation of graywater from blackwater for the purpose of graywater reuse. ♦ Illustrates the benefits and concerns associated with graywater reuse. ♦ Provides safety information on installing a graywater reuse system and reusing graywater for end use applications.
Description:
Abstract: Increasing efforts in water conservation have prompted home and business owners to learn more about water reuse. One reuse application of interest is separating graywater (all wastewater excluding kitchen and toilet water) from other wastewater to supplement irrigation demand or toilet flushing. Some states including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada,Texas, and Washington already allow graywater reuse and many other states are considering it. In order to safely reuse graywater it is vital to safely separate graywater from blackwater using a dual plumbing system. Improper installation of graywater reuse has risks associated with it including contaminating potable lines with the constituents in graywater, which could lead to increased health risks. This manual provides guidance on the appropriateness of graywater reuse for homeowner and business owner systems. The manual covers the technologies and equipment necessary for graywater reuse systems, known maintenance requirements for graywater systems,and best management practices to ensure safe reuse of graywater. The manual also covers the necessary steps to determine whether a graywater reuse system is applicable to an individual’s situation and discusses reuse goals, including methods for calculating the amount of graywater that is generated from a home or office. It provides information on source separation, plumbing, storage, appropriate graywater reuse technologies and equipment, irrigation and toilet reuse applications, maintenance, and best management practices to ensure safe reuse of graywater. Examples are provided for different types of systems that describe key components for a graywater reuse system. [NOTE: The link below connects to a WERF site where the Final Report can be downloaded for free, after registering at the WERF site. For some projects the Executive Summary is available and can be downloaded for free without registering on the WERF site.]
