How to Collect and Use
Grey Water and Rain
Water


by Julie McMurchie
Collecting Grey Water

Grey water is water collected from outside your sewage system that
comes from a clothes washer, bathtub shower or sink, but not from the
kitchen sink, dishwasher or toilet. Rain water is collected from gutter
systems and storm runoff from roof tops. Neither grey water nor rain
water is purified, so it is considered non-potable. It should not be used
for human consumption or for irrigating edible plants, except fruit and nut
trees.

Any grey water that you intend to use on your own landscaping should
be free from oils, grease, food particles and harmful chemicals. If you
have washed a load of greasy rags that water is not suitable for use.
Neither should water used to wash soiled diapers or any other infectious
waste be used.

While there are grey water collection systems that can be installed in
homes, you can collect some of it using old fashioned methods, such as
draining your washing machine into a plastic trash can. Just be sure that
it is large enough to hold the water from the machine.

Rain water can be collected by placing rain barrels or plastic trash cans
under downspouts or directly under the stream from roof runoff.
Photo via Stock.xchng