Another Point in Favor of Graywater Reuse
Another Point in Favor of Graywater Reuse
March 10, 2016
The Source — Researchers at BGU’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research have confirmed that treated graywater is safe for irrigation and does not pose a health risk.
Graywater includes any wastewater generated in households or office buildings except for toilet wastewater.
“No additional burden of disease was found among graywater users in this study, suggesting that graywater is not a major source of gastrointestinal disease,” says Prof. Amit Gross, who headed the study.
Prof. Amit Gross
Study participants, made up of graywater users and a non-graywater using control group, were required to complete a weekly health questionnaire for a year to gauge changes in the participants’ health.
The study is believed to be the only long-term epidemiological survey undertaken for graywater reuse, and could greatly improve water reuse and efficiencies in dryland areas.
Although graywater reuse is practiced worldwide, public health concerns pose a major obstacle toward widespread graywater acceptance.
“This study is another piece of evidence demonstrating that responsible graywater reuse is safe and can be done with fairly low-cost and low-tech solutions,” says Prof. Gross.
Read more on The Source, the publication for members of the International Water Association >>
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