Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- It can replace potable water
- Grey water may actually be more beneficial to plant because it often contains nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus.
Disadvantages
Grey water may be a health hazard due to chemical or microbiological contamination:- Do not drink or play in grey water
- Do not mix potable (drinking) water with grey water
- Do not allow anything that may be eaten to come into contact with grey water
- Do not allow grey water to pond on the surface or run off the property
Two main principles for safety:
- Grey water must pass slowly through healthy topsoil for natural purification
- No grey water-to-human contact should occur before purificationWash your hands after contact with greywater Do not spray untreated grey water onto lawns, or fruits and vegetables that are eaten raw (e.g. fruits, lettuce, carrots)
