Beyond Rainfall: 3 Types of Reclaimed Water

The water gathered from rainfall is not the only kind of water that can be treated to restore its quality for reuse. Storm water, in fact, only makes up part of the total amount of water reclaimed yearly for various potable and nonpotable uses.

Greywater

Greywater is the umbrella term for the water that drains from sinks, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers and washing machines. It is basically every kind of wastewater from a household or commercial establishment – with the important exception of water from toilets!

Greywater is further classified into light and dark. Light greywater has relatively low levels of grease, oil and fat, and may come from showers or washers. In turn, dark greywater comes from utility and heavy-duty sinks and washers. It may contain higher concentrations of fat and chemicals. An ordinary person would typically use grey water is used to water yards and gardens or wash cars.

Agricultural process water

The water used for farming – permitting that it does not become contaminated with sewage – is also frequently treated for reuse in fields. Agricultural process water is usually taken from the irrigation of fruit, vegetables, potatoes and grain. It may also be used for dust control.

State health, agriculture and ecology departments are standard consultants on how agricultural process water is treated and reused.

Industrial reuse water

Like agricultural process water, industrial water can be slated for reuse if it is not contaminated with sewage and is treated according to stringent requirements.

The procedure for reusing it often begins with surveys of a factory’s location to determine water flow, rate, quality and potential for wastewater segregation. Following sampling and testing, the water undergoes filtering and disinfection. It can then be used for cooling, cleaning, landscaping irrigation or industrial production.