Beneficial Re-Use of Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water
Definition for and beneficial re-uses of graywater and alternative onsite water from private residences, and commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural facilities.
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What is Graywater?
Graywater is wastewater from clothes-washing machines, showers, bathtubs, hand-washing lavatories, and sinks that are used for disposal of household or domestic products. Graywater does not include wastewater that has come in contact with toilet waste; or from the washing of material, including diapers, soiled with human excreta; or from sinks used for food preparation or disposal.
What is Alternative Onsite Water?
Alternative onsite water consists of rainwater, air-conditioning condensate, foundation drain water, stormwater, and swimming pool backwash and drain water. It also includes reverse osmosis reject water generated at private residences and agriculture facilities.
What can I use Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water for?
Residential Uses:
Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water generated at private residences can be used for the following purposes:
- to minimize foundation movement or cracking;
- for gardening;
- for composting;
- for landscaping; and
- for toilet or urinal flushing.
RG-536 A Guide for Homeowners
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Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Uses:
Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water generated at commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities can be used for the following purposes:
- for process water;
- for landscape maintenance;
- for dust control;
- for toilet or urinal flushing; and
- for other similar activities.
RG-539 A Guide for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Users Back to top
Agricultural Uses:
Graywater and Alternative Onsite Water generated at agricultural facilities can be used for the following purposes:
- for process water
- for landscape maintenance
- for dust control
- for irrigation of fields
- for toilet or urinal flushing; and
- for other similar activities.
RG-541 A Guide for Agricultural Users Back to top
How do I design and operate a re-use system?
The design and operation of a re-use system depends on whether the re-use system contains graywater only, alternative onsite water only, or a combination of graywater and alternative onsite water. It also depends on whether the graywater and alternative onsite water are generated at a private residence; a commercial, industrial, or institutional facility; or an agricultural facility. See 30 TAC 210, Subchapter F for more information on how to design and operate a re-use system.
If you install a re-use system at your private residence and you’re wastewater is directed to an onsite sewage facility (OSSF), you may be able to reduce the size of your OSSF. See 30 TAC 285, Subchapter H for more information about reducing the size of your OSSF.
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