Grey Water Characterization and Its Management

Abstract

Water, the driving force of nature, is the life sustaining resource present on the earth. Depleting groundwater tables and wells running dry has forced the researchers and policymakers to come up with an efficient solution to optimize water use and save water. With rainfall behaviour being uncertain and diminishing surface water sources, there is a critical need to look out for alternate water source. In this scenario, grey water use provides an efficient option. Grey water is the waste water generated from showers, laundry washing, washbasins and sinks. It does not come in contact with organic impurities which result in lower BOD as compared to black water (water generated from toilet flushing). The basic idea is to separate grey water from domestic sewage. Depending on the type of grey water and its level of treatment, it can be reused for various purposes like irrigation, flushing, floor washing, watering gardens, automobile washing, etc. Studies have suggested that recycling grey water can save up to 70% of fresh water consumption. To control the growing water imbalance, grey water use has huge potential to be used as sustainable alternate resource. Present study characterizes different types of grey water in terms of water quality parameters and suggests a low-cost treatment system for its further use.