From grey to green - reusing wastewater for food

Abstract

GREYWATER RECYCLING All households produce greywater of some kind. This wastewater can include water from showering, bathing and washing dishes and clothes. The amount of greywater varies enormously between households. Consumption in poor areas can be as low as 15 to 20 ℓ per person per day, while in rich urban areas people may generate more than ten times as much. Depending on the household the water can contain soap, shampoo, toothpaste, washing powder, disinfectants, shaving cream, bleach and household cleaning chemicals. The water can also contain cooking oil, hair, fat and fibres from fabrics. Greywater is unlikely to contain disease organisms (such as E. coli) anywhere in the same magnitude as those found in toilet wastes (unless laundry tubs or basins are used to rinse soiled clothing and babies’ nappies). of this wastewater. In turn, this leads to unpleasant odours, pollution of groundwater and surface runoff, soil erosion, health hazards and mosquito breeding.

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