Greywater System

Greywater systems capture and reuse the relatively clean wastewater generated by sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines, diverting it from the sewer system and redirecting it for beneficial uses like landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. Unlike blackwater from toilets and kitchen sinks, greywater contains far fewer pathogens and can be safely reused with minimal treatment for subsurface irrigation. The practice has deep historical roots in arid regions where water conservation was essential for survival, and modern greywater systems have been embraced in Australia, Israel, and the western United States where water scarcity drives innovation. Residential greywater systems range from simple laundry-to-landscape setups that gravity-feed washing machine water directly to garden beds, to sophisticated whole-house systems with filtration, storage, and pressurized distribution to toilets and irrigation zones. The simplest systems can be installed in a weekend and cost under a few hundred dollars, while comprehensive systems with treatment and indoor reuse capabilities represent a larger investment. Greywater typically accounts for 50 to 80 percent of residential wastewater, so reusing it can reduce household freshwater consumption dramatically. For interior designers, the key consideration is integrating plumbing modifications and any visible components like under-sink filters or utility-area storage tanks in a way that is functional and aesthetically appropriate.