Greywater Recycling Research Articles

Effect of grey water reuse on hydraulic performance of water supply pipes networks

ABSTRACT Water shortage and performance decline of the water supply pipe network have increased the challenges of accessing satisfactory water services. Reusing grey is considered a solution to this situation. In the present study, the effect of using grey water on the hydraulic performance of the water supply pipe network is investigated. Three scenarios for greywater recycling are studied: the no greywater reuse scenario, the satellite scenario, and the on-site scenario for two water feeding systems, i.e., with and without roof tanks. Hydraulic analysis of these scenarios is carried out by simulating a case study pipe network using the WaterGEMS software. On-site and satellite greywater reuse systems significantly increased the pressure head by 18 and 20%, respectively, at peak consumption. Reusing treated grey water also significantly reduced velocity values in the network, with velocities less than 0.5 m/s in some pipes even at peak consumption, making these pipes vulnerable to sedimentation. Furthermore, the performance was simulated under a break in crucial pipes, showing that greywater reuse significantly enhanced the network's reliability. The study also examined different ratios of water consumption reduction and treated greywater reuse through fourteen scenarios, indicating that reusing greywater along with a water consumption reduction plan reduced water needs by 42.8%.

Optimalisasi sistem plumbing hemat air di Rusun Brimob Sampali Medan: edukasi teknologi dan manajemen limbah cair

The availability of clean water in high-density urban areas is a pressing concern, as evidenced by the limited infrastructure and significant water wastage, which can reach 30%. This research aims to optimize the water-saving plumbing system in Brimob Sampali Flat in Medan through an integrative approach of applying modern technology and community education.This research utilizes a mixed method of qualitative (observation, interview) and quantitative (Likert scale questionnaire, digital measurement) data collection. The research process is outlined as follows: first, the existing conditions are analyzed; second, a new plumbing system is designed; third, water-saving technologies are implemented, such as gray water recycling systems and dual flush toilets; fourth, the effectiveness of the system is monitored and evaluated.The study population consisted of 30 residents of the Brimob Sampali Flat in Medan, and their pre- and post-implementation water consumption data were compared to measure the impact of the system.The results indicated that the implementation of the water-efficient plumbing system led to a 33.52% reduction in water consumption, while the integration of the gray water recycling system augmented this reduction by an additional 58.17%.The educational program was found to have enhanced residents' comprehension of water conservation, as evidenced by an average Likert score of 4.03 out of 5. Moreover, satisfaction with the novel system attained an average score of 4.1, signifying a positive response.The novelty of this study lies in the integration of water-saving technologies with an educational program designed specifically for the local Indonesian context, providing a holistic model that can be replicated in other regions to address clean water issues in a sustainable manner.

Multifaceted dimensions of greywater recycling in advancing sustainable development goals: a comprehensive review

Multifaceted dimensions of greywater recycling in advancing sustainable development goals: a comprehensive review

Consequential life cycle assessment of urban source-separating sanitation systems complementing centralized wastewater treatment in Lund, Sweden

This study examined various source-separating sanitation systems to evaluate their environmental performance, providing decision-makers with insights for selecting an appropriate system for a newly developed neighborhood in Sweden. A full consequential LCA was conducted to account for resource recovery and substitution. The local wastewater treatment plant WWTP was modeled as a reference. Secondly, a urine recycling system was introduced to treat 75 % of the collected urine, with the remainder piped to the WWTP. Thirdly, a black and greywater (BW&GW) treatment system handling all generated wastewater was examined. Finally, a hybrid source-separating system combining urine, black, and greywater was investigated. The results indicated that the four scenarios exhibited global warming potentials (GWP) of 78, 62, 32, and 24 kg CO2-eq per PE/ y. Recycling urine as fertilizer led to a 20 % reduction in the GWP of the reference. It also reduced other impact categories, with a 55 %, 65 %, and 45 % reduction in eutrophication, ozone depletion, and acidification, respectively. The BW&GW system achieved a 60 % reduction over the reference GWP, mainly due to fertilizer, biogas, and cleanwater recovery. Integrating urine, black, and greywater recycling in the final scenario achieved a 25 % reduction compared to the BW&GW scenario, primarily due to lowering of the ammonia stripping GWP and the additional fertilizer recovery. Based on sensitivity analyses, switching citric acid for sulfuric acid reduced the GWP of the urine stabilization unit process by 101 %, from 15.47 to -0.14 kg CO2-eq per PE/ y. Ultimately, the findings suggest that the fully decentralized source-separating sanitation system incorporating urine, blackwater, and greywater recycling, particularly when combined with 70 % energy recovery at the urine concentrator, is most favorable.

Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for an Office Building

The research paper titled "Sustainable Water Conservation Techniques for an Office Building" explores methods to reduce water consumption and promote sustainable practices in office buildings. The study focuses on the rising global water crisis due to population growth and increasing urbanization, advocating for the reuse of rainwater and wastewater as alternatives to conventional water sources. Key objectives include assessing current water distribution systems, comparing existing water management techniques, and proposing sustainable water-saving measures. By integrating solutions such as water-efficient fixtures, greywater recycling, and rainwater harvesting, the study aims to significantly reduce water demand and operational costs, contributing to long-term sustainability​.

Greywater recycling for diverse collection scales and appliances: enteric pathogen log-removal targets and treatment trains

In light of increasingly diverse greywater reuse applications, this study proposes risk-based log-removal targets (LRTs) to aid the selection of treatment trains for greywater recycling at different collection scales, including appliance-scale reuse of individual greywater streams. An epidemiology-based model was used to simulate the concentrations of prevalent and treatment-resistant reference pathogens (protozoa: Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp., bacteria: Salmonella and Campylobacter spp., viruses: rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and Coxsackievirus B5) in the greywater streams for collection scales of 5-, 100-, and a 1000-people. Using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), we calculated LRTs to meet a health benchmark of 10-4 infections per person per year over 10’000 Monte Carlo iterations. LRTs were highest for norovirus at the 5-people scale and for adenovirus at the 100- and 1000-people scales. Example treatment trains were designed to meet the 95% quantiles of LRTs. Treatment trains consisted of an aerated membrane bioreactor, chlorination, and, if required, UV disinfection. In most cases, rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and Cryptosporidium spp. determined the overall treatment train requirements. Norovirus was most often critical to dimension the chlorination (concentration × time values) and adenovirus determined the required UV dose. Smaller collection scales did not generally allow for simpler treatment trains due to the high LRTs associated with viruses, with the exception of recirculating washing machines and handwashing stations. Similarly, treating greywater sources individually resulted in lower LRTs, but the lower required LRTs nevertheless did not generally allow for simpler treatment trains. For instance, LRTs for a recirculating washing machine were around 2-log units lower compared to LRTs for indoor reuse of combined greywater (1000-people scale), but both scenarios necessitated treatment with a membrane bioreactor, chlorination and UV disinfection. However, simpler treatment trains may be feasible for small-scale and application-scale reuse if: (i) less conservative health benchmarks are used for household-based systems, considering the reduced relative importance of treated greywater in pathogen transmission in households, and (ii) higher log-removal values (LRVs) can be validated for unit processes, enabling simpler treatment trains for a larger number of appliance-scale reuse systems.

Optimal cost predictive BMS considering greywater recycling, responsive HVAC, and energy storage

A crucial aspect of a sustainable city is ensuring that energy and water supplies can adequately meet urban demand. With the scarcity of natural resources and growing electricity and water demand, it becomes increasingly important for consumers to manage their resource usage more efficiently. This paper proposes a novel perspective of demand-side management coordination strategy for a building's water-energy nexus to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the overall electricity-water-heating system. The model is formulated to optimally coordinates the onsite greywater recycling system, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) loads, and distributed energy generation systems with a bidirectional grid connection in a residential building. All subsystems are controlled by a model predictive controller (MPC) receiving real-time time of use (ToU) pricing from electricity and water utilities. The presented mixed integer linear programming model is verified to meet the customers' demands while reducing the operational costs. Results are compared with benchmark systems lacking the water recycling or energy storage system showing 8.3 % operational cost reduction while reducing potable water consumption by 21.5 %. The effect of increased MPC control horizon is also studied showing reduction in cost with increased horizon. Detailed analysis of the proposed framework computational burden and effect of prediction errors is performed to prove the MPC adaptability and robustness. Testing under increased room size and different user preferences further validate the efficacy of the proposed scheme in reducing the operational costs.

The potential of rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling as an alternative domestic water resource in Bahnstadt-Heidelberg, Germany

ABSTRACT The use of high-quality potable water for non-essential activities results in substantial water waste. Therefore, treating and utilizing rainwater and greywater which contain low concentrations of organic substances and microbes as alternative domestic water resources can enhance the resilience and sustainability of water in urban areas. However, it encounters several challenges. This study was conducted in Banhstadt-Heidelberg, Germany, to estimate domestic water consumption patterns, evaluate the potential of rainwater harvesting from green roofs, and assess the public acceptability of greywater recycling. The primary data were collected from 361 Bahnstadt residents through the questionnaire to estimate water consumption. The non-potable water demand in Bahnstadt was estimated at 228 m3/day for 5,700 Bahnstadt residents. The harvestable rainfall volume was 16,017.58 m3/year. When rainwater supply was compared to water demand, the potential for rooftop rainwater harvesting was 19.25%. This value indicates that the amount of rainwater collected is less than that of non-potable water required per year. To meet the demand, rainwater harvesting will need to be supplemented with treated greywater. However, only 20.78% of respondents are willing to install a greywater recycling system, mostly because of public health concerns. Overall, this study shows the tendencies toward having green roofs with integrated rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling for the possible account of water saving.

Metabolic Aspects of Rural Life and Settlement Coexistence in China

Among realms of settlement coexistences, desakota areas or Township-Village-Enterprises in China stand out as relatively conservative of material and other resources, including embodied energy. Chencun Village in the Shunde District of Guangdong Province is an agriculturally productive example of such a settlement covering some 131 hectares in area and hosting some 6,000 inhabitants, including villagers and migrant so-called “floating” households. Formerly a center of sericulture, the village now produces flowers and plants, alongside some factory operations making needed hardware in support of agriculture. From a metabolic perspective consisting of what Chencun is made of in material flows of stocks, including material extracted from the Geosphere, Biosphere, and Hydrosphere resulting in building materials, buildings, and land-uses, alongside of collected waste and recycling, the village’s environmental performance is comparatively better than many other forms of settlement coexistence. Measured by stock-flow models represented by Sankey Diagrams, Chencun registers slightly lower than an average of 4.0 MJ/Kg/Yr. or about 106 metric tons of building material per year, below that of more compact and even peripheral modes of settlement. Water use, though very present due to agricultural production takes place in a non-water-stressed part of China and benefits from graywater recycling. Energy use is likewise relatively restrained due to the small amount of transportation and the largely compact and stay-at-home pattern of desakota life. Further, such desakota forms of settlement should be preserved as more environmentally suitable than denser and more profligate forms of settlement in emerging Metropolitan Regions of China like the Greater Bay Area.

Low-Cost Grey Water Treatment System Design And Treatability Studies In Relation To Recycling And Reuse In Rural Area of Angul District of Odisha

As global water scarcity intensifies, there is a growing need for sustainable water management solutions, particularly in rural areas where access to clean water is often limited. This study focuses on the development of a low-cost greywater treatment system tailored for rural settings, emphasizing the recycling and reuse of greywater. The research encompasses the design, implementation, and treatability studies of the proposed system, aiming to provide an affordable and effective solution for improving water sustainability in resource-constrained communities. The designed greywater treatment system incorporates cost-effective technologies and locally available materials to ensure its feasibility in rural contexts. The treatability studies explore the system's efficiency in removing contaminants commonly found in greywater, evaluating its potential to meet water quality standards suitable for various non-potable applications. Emphasis is placed on the system's adaptability to local conditions, promoting community engagement and ownership for long-term sustainability. By addressing the unique challenges faced by rural areas, this research contributes to the broader goal of achieving water security through decentralized, affordable, and environmentally conscious greywater treatment solutions. The findings from this study can inform policymakers, engineers, and local communities on practical approaches to enhance water quality, reduce environmental impact, and promote water recycling and reuse in rural settings.

Comparative analysis of greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting as supplementary water sources for conventional urban and tourist resort water supplies

Freshwater scarcity combined with high water demand from rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption has resulted in increasing stress on urban water supply systems. Seasonal fluctuations in the population of tourist destinations are especially evident in tourist resorts. Greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting have been proposed as the most widely used valuable strategies to address water scarcity. By taking the conventional water supply system and the water supply of tourist resorts as examples, this study systematically compares and analyzes the advantages and limitations of greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting by enumerating the stress of water supply in different systems, discussing the benefits of both strategies and comparing the differences when using them for tourist destinations. The results showed that pumping systems or elevated tanks used to meet the water supply needs of high-rise buildings pose energy challenges. The water use characteristics of tourist resorts cause it to be closely related to the seasonal influx of tourists. Greywater recycling is more effective than rainwater harvesting in mitigating tourist resorts' water shortage problem. Suggestions for ways to implement these strategies for different regions are also given to make informed decisions about water distribution efforts. This study provides a reference for sustainable urban water resource management.

Analysis of Physical Properties of Grey water from Residential Buildings

One way to conserve water is to find a safe way to use it further than formerly. Grey water recycling is now accepted as sustainable result to the general increase of the fresh water demand. Grey water refers to water that has formerly been used in some way but which can be reused or reclaimed in order to conserve fresh water. It's considered fairly simple to treat slate water to make it safe for public use because of lower situations of pollutants. The treatment of slate water from domestic structures is a critical process for sustainable water operation. This study outlines a comprehensive methodology, beginning with a thorough feasibility assessment, including considerations of available space, original regulations, and propinquity to water exercise points. Analysis of on- point slate water characteristics informs the design of an effective treatment system, incorporating source separation, pre-filtration, natural treatment, filtration, disinfection ,storehouse ,and distribution .Construction emphasizes flawless integration with being structure, and performance testing ensures system optimization. Clear operating procedures, regular monitoring, and compliance reviews contribute to ongoing success. Community education enterprise play a vital part in promoting responsible water operation. This holistic approach, combining specialized effectiveness, environmental responsibility, and community engagement, demonstrates a sustainable model for slate water treatment in domestic settings.

Aligning Net zero energy, carbon Neutrality, and regenerative concepts: An exemplary study of sustainable architectural practices

This paper introduces an innovative approach that combines Net Zero Energy (NZE), Net Zero Carbon (NZC), and Regenerative principles, redefining sustainable architecture in Iran. Focusing on a residential "attached house," the study employed strategies like thermal insulation, Low-E glass, shading, and renewable energy sources. Results show a 45 % improvement in thermal performance, reducing heating gas usage by over 42 % and electricity usage by 8 %. With shading, heating and cooling demands decreased by 51.7 % and 12.55 %, respectively. Swapping conventional walls for a thermal mass system led to a 74 % reduction in heating gas and a 17.2 % cut in cooling electricity. Additionally, PV systems supply up to 90 % of electricity needs. Environmental assessments revealed that the RM4 building achieved a 20 % reduction in environmental impacts, which increased to 65 % with PV systems and Solar Water heaters. All measures reduced the building's carbon offset by over 90 %, while greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting reduced water consumption emissions by 74 %. Using recycled materials, the Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs) model achieved a 68 % reduction in carbon emissions compared to the baseline and 27 % compared to the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) model, with a 67 % higher circularity.

Optimal urban sustainable design for residential village in Al-Baha region: application five roles strategies

This paper evaluates and discusses the proposed design for a low carbon environmental village in Al-Baha region. It considers its viability in view of local renewable energy sources, climatic conditions and local vernacular architectural identity. Five areas were targeted when designing the village: (a) low carbon architectural design strategies; (b) on-site renewable energy strategies; (c) selection of local construction materials; (d) exploitation of rain water harvesting and greywater recycling; and (e) waste disposal recycling and management. The used approach is to design a sustainable village with its facilities in prospective of environmental requirements social needs. The design follow application five roles’ strategies from the literature and depending on local site challenges, available of natural in a location of Al-Baha gate from the airport. The site selected is located along the main highway that connects Al-Baha city to its nearest airport. The chosen area is 4,945,000 m2 and has a flat topography with mountains located relatively close by. The findings present in the study plans for comprehensive sustainable low carbon energy village, which meet the climatic requirements and exploiting natural resources operated by natural renewable energy. This village is designed for typical Saudi families, and will be built from local construction materials. The design includes more than 6150 residential units powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, and local services using wind energy. The energy requirements for the whole village were calculated based on macro and micro energy generation. Local regulatory standards and sustainability criteria have also been met for the proposed village. Five experts also evaluated the five-purpose design proposition. The impact of designing sustainable villages will lead in protection of environment improved the life and health quality as well as economic benefits. The benefits of addressing five aims are highlighted and the study concluded with some recommendations.

Modelling Possible Household Uses of Grey Water in Poland using Property Fitting Analysis

One of the most important methods of optimising water consumption is grey water recycling. From a technological point of view, the treatment of grey water guarantees that it can be reused for domestic or corporate purposes, but it raises the issue of the social acceptance of the use of such water. This study aimed to assess the possibility of using grey water in households in Poland. The originality of this research study lies in the application of the PROFIT method for the separate construction of models of the benefits of grey water according to user groups. Four groups were identified, differentiated by gender and age; age and possession of an irretrievable water meter; gender and place of residence; place of residence and possession of an irretrievable water meter. To answer the formulated research questions, a diagnostic survey method was used, in which 807 randomly selected respondents from all over Poland were surveyed. The results of the survey indicate that homeowners perceive the potential use of grey water as beneficial, pointing most often to the following factors: rebuilding groundwater levels, reduced extraction of drinking water from rivers and other water bodies, and increased vegetation growth. On the other hand, they are concerned about the need to reconstruct the existing water and sewerage systems in order to produce drinking water from grey water as well as about the high cost and parameter stability of drinking water produced from grey water. Furthermore, men and older people attribute less importance to measures related to the introduction of good practices based on the reuse of recycled water in water management. Women, on the other hand, appreciate almost all opportunities to use grey water to a greater extent than men.

Performance Evaluation of Mobile Integrated On-site Greywater Treatment System

This research paper presents the development and evaluation of a Mobile Integrated Onsite Greywater Treatment System (MIOGTS) aimed at addressing water scarcity through greywater recycling and reuse. MIOGTS combines primary treatment with settling cum equalization tank and anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) with secondary treatment utilizing a Bio-rack constructed wetland (CW) system filled with charcoal and gravel as a medium. The study employed synthetic greywater, representative of typical domestic sources, and analyzed its characteristics. The MIOGTS system was designed for an average flow rate of 200 L/d and included ABR and Bio-rack CW units.

An eco-friendly solution for greywater treatment via date palm fiber filter

Greywater reuse emerges as a promising solution, being a renewable resource with relatively low treatment costs due to its low pollutant content. In Saudi Arabia, ablution water (AW) serves as a significant example of greywater due to its substantial quantities. This study introduces an assessment of a pilot scale sustainable filtration system for treating AW for reuse purposes and its water savings potential in mosques. Various AW samples were collected from 24 mosques distributed across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, considering geographic location and local activity. The collected samples underwent measurement and comparison of total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, conductivity and turbidity. A filtration process was conducted using date palm fibers (DPFs) as a green filtration media with varying thicknesses to achieve optimal TDS and turbidity removal. The findings exhibited significant decreases in turbidity, up to 90%, while TDS and conductivity lowered by up to 15%. pH levels varied based on the surrounding area's activities, decreasing for domestic and increasing for commercial and industrial regions, meeting the standard pH environmental levels. This study sheds light on the potential of greywater recycling, contributing to efforts in mitigating water scarcity and promoting sustainable water management practices.

Agile diagnostics to determine the concordance between a technology for greywater recycling and the respective needs of potential customers and users

La investigación de mercado y clientes para justificar el desarrollo de productos tecnológicos es clave en todas las organizaciones con un programa de innovación tecnológica efectiva. Estos estudios pueden implicar gran cantidad de recursos humanos, financieros y de tiempo. El artículo propone un estudio preliminar del perfil de usuarios y clientes potenciales (EXAPERC) a través de dos herramientas: (DIAG-USUARIO) que sirve como un sondeo ágil de la percepción de los usuarios respecto de una solución tecnológica; y (DIAG-CLIENTE) que consiste en un estudio preliminar de clientes potenciales de la tecnología (la empresa que fabricará productos con la tecnología en cuestión). Estos diagnósticos fueron aplicados para una solución al reciclado de aguas grises domésticas, realizado en CIATEQ, Centro Público de Investigación en México. Los resultados mostraron una percepción positiva al concepto, tanto por parte de los usuarios como de posibles inversionistas o clientes de la tecnología. Estos resultados alientan a realizar estudios más detallados de usuarios potenciales y de inversionistas de la tecnología en cuestión.

Physical, chemical, and biological evaluation of domestic laundry greywater discharges to attract reclamation strategies and reuse applications in urban settings

AbstractDue to increasing freshwater demand and limited availability of resources, conservation and recycling of greywater are getting attention worldwide. Greywater (GW) is considered a potential contender to different types of industrial wastewater in terms of recyclability, toxicity, and reusability. The reuse and treatment methodologies in the case of LGW mainly depend on parameters such as pH, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, ionic concentration, surfactants, and microbial growth. Available literature suggests that domestic as well as commercial laundries are major contributors to greywater around the globe. This paper presents the results of investigations conducted on the quantity and quality of greywater generated from domestic urban laundries. Various factors were observed that influence the quantity of generated LGW such as family size, type of washing (machine or manual), and composition of LGW influenced by the work profile of family members, etc. The average values of BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, turbidity, Chloride (Cl−), Sulphate (SO42−), Fluoride (F−), Nitrate (NO3−), and anionic surfactants as MBAS (methylene blue active substances) were observed as 265.73 mgL−1, 1754.67 mgL−1, 469.13 mgL−1, 1837.73 mgL−1, 281.8 NTU, 438.6 mgL−1, 87.93 mgL−1, 0.87 mgL−1, 6.83 mgL−1, and 16.45 mgL−1, respectively. The average concentration of Escherichia coli and total coliforms was observed to be 73.4 MPN/100 mL (most probable number per 100 mL) and 386.2 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The high values of selected parameters necessitate the planning of greywater treatment in urban locations for re‐utilization. This study also revealed that a huge amount of freshwater is being converted to greywater by domestic laundries that can be re‐utilized for non‐potable purposes after some treatment.

Rainwater and Greywater as Alternative Water Resources: Public Perception and Acceptability. Case Study in Twelve Countries in the World

The aim of the paper was to identify factors that influence the public perception of the possibility of replacing tap water with rainwater or greywater. In order to check whether a geographical location and water resources of a region affect the public's attitude toward alternative water systems, the surveys were carried out among respondents from twelve countries. The surveys identified the level of awareness among respondents about their country's water resources, ways to save water at home, and their attitudes to rainwater and greywater as additional sources of water in a building. The results showed that only 39% of respondents would not be afraid to use treated greywater in their household. The situation was better in case of replacement of tap water with rainwater, where more than 54% of the respondents were not concerned. The use of alternative sources of water for body washing and cleaning works was the biggest concern among the respondents. In case of greywater recycling, this was indicated by 56% (personal hygiene) and 34% (cleaning works) of respondents. People in the countries with low water resources view alternative water sources more favourably. They are also more aware of, and more likely to accept the use of rainwater or greywater even in uses where they will come into contact with the human body. The research also showed that for more than 3/4 of respondents, funding to install these systems would encourage their use in their household.