Recycling Gray Water is not a Black and White Issue

by Maria Tadd

Being faced with the worst drought in North Carolina's history, many of us are making an effort to do all we can to conserve water as well as collect water while we wait for the hot water to kick in and, in some cases, collect water that would otherwise be discarded (aka gray water). The precise definition of gray water varies but generally speaking it is considered to be "used" water from sinks, bathtubs, showers and washing machines. Dishwasher and kitchen sink water are too full of potential contaminants and, along with toilet water, are sometimes referred to as black water.

For those of us who are trying to save our favorite azalea or dogwood, or other special tree or shrub, it would seem logical that as long as the water didn't have a lot of soap in it, perhaps this would be a way to insure that the plant would see another spring.

However, the legal use of gray water varies from state to state and sometimes varies from municipality to municipality within the same state. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, the use of gray water is illegal. "Dipping and dumping or otherwise discharging gray water from sinks and other fixtures is not an approved method as the water has not been effectively treated and as such, surface application is not an acceptable disposal method."

Even though the use of gray water is not condoned in North Carolina, it is still a topic worthy of investigation. So what really are the issues concerning gray water and how has gray water been successfully used in other states?

Although the use of gray water appears on the surface to be a viable and an appealing alternative for watering and irrigation purposes, some evidence suggests that gray water may be unsafe. And careless misuse could result in a large-scale health risk.

The problem with gray water is that it carries a significant pathogen load, i.e., it is full of harmful bacteria. For example, a recent article in the Journal of Environmental Health (June 2002) cited 2 studies, Brandes (1978) and Gerbs, et al. (1995), that documented gray water as containing considerable amounts of both total coliforms and fecal coliforms better known to most of us as E. coli. These pathogens can multiply quickly if the gray water is stored even for a short time.

When most of us think about E. coli, we immediately think about food contamination, such as a hamburger chain that had tainted meat. In adults E. coli can be serious, but in children it can be deadly. People who are stricken by E. coli usually present with severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps, with little or no fever. Typically, the illness resolves in 5 to 10 days.

However, in some individuals-particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly-the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed, the kidneys fail, and without a transplant, the person dies. About 2%-7% of infections lead to this complication. In the United States, hemolytic uremic syndrome is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are caused by E. coli.

So properly treating and carefully handling gray water are very important issues. And since it is being done successfully in other states we owe it to ourselves to see what we can learn as we must become less dependent on fresh water during times of drought. It is clear that unless we receive continuous heavy rains, the drought will only get worse. Learning how to treat and wisely use gray water will benefit everyone.

Depending on the state's regulations, technology for gray water reuse can be as simple as saving the rinse water from the clothes washer to rather complex treatment systems, such as one in which the gray water flows to an aerobic treatment unit, then to a recirculating filter, and it is only ready for reuse after being disinfected with an ultraviolet filter.

Now let's take a look at a model state. Water reuse in Florida has become an integral part of wastewater management, water resource management, and ecosystem management. During the past 15 years, Florida has risen to be recognized as a national leader (along with California) in water reuse. Approximately 584 million gallons per day (mgd) of reclaimed water was reused for beneficial purposes in 2001. This reclaimed water was used to irrigate 122,382 residences, 410 golf courses, 405 parks, and 188 schools!! Are you reading this North Carolinians? Irrigation of these areas accessible to the public represented about 44% of the 584 mgd of reclaimed water reused (Florida, Department of Environmental Protection).

The intention of this article is not to support the illegal use of gray water, but to bring it to the attention of you, the public, so that you can pressure our legislators to revisit this issue so that they will come up with regulations that would permit the safe usage of gray water. The time is now for us to follow Florida's lead.

Maria Tadd is a freelance medical writer who is passionate about the environment. She has worked in medical advertising, marketing and medical education for years and has created award winning campaigns. She can be reached at mtadd@earthlink.net.

TO THE EDITOR: I saw your article on grey water at www.innerchangemag.com/tadd-graywater.htm. You and your readers might appreciate the information resources on grey water and grey water policies that we have at "Grey water policy central - Extensive information about legal aspects of grey water, with links to more." www.oasisdesign.net/greywater/law and "Grey Water Central - All about all aspects of grey water systems. Why to use them, how to choose, build and use them, regulations, studies, and examples." www.oasisdesign.net/greywater.  Please consider linking to us.   ~ Thank you, Gwendy at Oasis Design