Greywater: What It Is and Why It Matters

Greywater is the gently used water that comes from everyday household tasks like taking a shower, having a bath, washing your clothes, or even rinsing vegetables in the kitchen (with extra filtering). It doesn't come from toilets; water from toilets is called blackwater, which contains harmful waste and bacteria and cannot be reused safely at home.

Even though greywater might have a bit of soap, hair, or tiny food scraps, it's still relatively clean. With basic treatment or filtering, greywater can safely be reused for things like watering your garden, flushing toilets, or cleaning outdoor areas. This helps reduce how much fresh drinking water we use for non-drinking purposes.

Reusing greywater is an easy and practical way to save water, lower utility bills, and live more sustainably all without making big changes to your daily routine. It turns what would have been waste into a valuable resource that helps both your household and the environment.