Why Should Every Commercial Building Have a Greywater Harvesting System?

Posted by Water Harvesting Solutions on February 17th, 2020

Water is a precious resource that we take for granted. Eventually, there will come a day when it may be difficult to access, but we can conserve water now by learning to harvest and reuse it. Having a greywater harvesting system can help, especially for commercial buildings, which typically have an enormous consumption of water.

Greywater is different from other water sources, such as condensate or rainwater, as it involves water that has been ‘gently used.’ This means that the water comes from sinks and showers, as well as process rinse water, pool backwash, and ponds. A water harvesting system could be practical in flushing toilets in commercial buildings, as well as for other non-potable applications, like irrigation.

Harvesting greywater may be advantageous over rainwater in a commercial building that has a high number of occupants using sinks and showers. Due to the predictable and steady supply, a greywater harvesting system can provide a consistent supply of water. Storage requirements are usually less than with rainwater systems, which can result in saving storage space and money in the long-term.

A water harvesting system that involves greywater is considered relatively new in institutional and commercial applications. It may include different regulatory and policy implications, which are not associated with condensate or rainwater harvesting. That is because greywater typically contains chemicals and biological contaminants, which can result in the water turning into black or septic water. Without proper treatment, greywater can develop unpleasant colors and odors and potentially become a health hazard.

When choosing to harvest greywater, make sure that the system complies with known standards in effectiveness and safety. Look for a reputable provider of water harvesting systems that is known for using cutting-edge filtration, monitoring, and sanitation methods to properly treat the greywater, while meeting your community’s regulatory requirements. Filtration skids and processing systems have been field-tested and proven compliant with the National Sanitation Foundation’s NSF/ANSI-350 standard for commercial greywater processing systems.

About the Author:

Water Harvesting Solutions Inc, is an expert in designing, building, and delivering custom systems for on-site water harvesting of greywater, rainwater, and stormwater. Only for commercial and institutional buildings across the USA and Canada.