STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES - EARTH SYSTEMS PROGRAM
- Overview
- Get Started
- Computer Sleep Mode
- Unplugging Appliances
- Fluorescent Lights
- Wise Heating/Cooling
- Water Heater Temperature
- Thermostat Setting
- Dishwasher & Washing Machine
- Running Water
- Morning Irrigation
- Short Showers
- Clothes Line
- Step It Up
- Green Power
- Carbon Offsets
- Weather Stripping
- Insulation
- Refrigerator Coils
- Furnace Filter
- Programmable Thermostat
- Low-flow Fixtures
- Low-flow Toilets
- Garden Sprinklers
- Go For Green
- Solar Water Heaters, PV Panels, Heat Pumps
- Energy Star Appliances
- Green Architecture
- Efficient Windows/Doors
- Landscaping for Heating/Cooling
- Gray Water & Rainwater Capture
- Efficient Landscaping
Explore Gray Water Use & Rainwater Capture
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- Health Helper:
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Overview
In some sense, all water can be considered recycled, through the endless process of precipitation and evaporation that carries water through our rivers, lakes, oceans, and atmosphere. Gray water is defined as recycled water that has been used for some other purpose first—namely in your shower, sink, or washing machine. Rather than using water once and then sending it down the drain, it is possible to re-use water for secondary applications such as toilet flushing or yard irrigation. Not all local governments allow the use of gray water. Consult with your local officials to learn what steps you can take to reduce your water intake.
Tips & Tricks
Learn your local gray water codes. Some municipalities do not currently allow reuse of gray water. Contact you local officials to learn the codes. If they don’t allow reuse of gray water, encourage them to change the code.
Web & Print Resources
Gray water—general information:
www.deus.nsw.gov.au
www.graywater.net
www.greywaterguerrillas.com
Rainwater harvesting—general information:
rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/
www.harvesth2o.com
www.rainwaterharvesting.org
Rainfall calculator:
ga.water.usgs.gov
Personal Story
Share your story with the Sustainable Choices Team! If you have a comment or a success story about your sustainable strategies that you would like to share, please send a note to sustainablechoices@stanford.edu.
Fun Facts
Gray water reuse may not be permitted by your local or county building codes.
One inch of rain collected over 1 square yard yields 4.7 gallons of water. Source