Greywater Characteristics, Treatment Systems, Reuse Strategies and User Perception—a Review

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 229; no. 8; pp. 255 - 16
• Main Authors: Oteng-Peprah, Michael, Acheampong, Mike Agbesi, deVries, Nanne K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2018; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Climatic conditions; Contaminants; Contamination; Detergents; Detergents, Synthetic; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental monitoring; Fixtures; Freshwater resources; Greywater; Hydrogeology; Lifestyles; Literature reviews; Moringa oleifera; Perception; Perceptions; Pollutants; Public opinion; Reviews; Sawdust; Soil Science & Conservation; Toilet facilities; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Water reuse; Natural media; Greywater; User perception; Treatment systems; Reuse
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-018-3909-8

This paper presents a literature review of the quality of greywater generated in different, especially developing, countries, constituents found in greywater, some treatment systems, natural materials for treatment, some reuse strategies and public perception regarding greywater reuse. The review shows that generation rates are mostly influenced by lifestyle, types of fixtures used and climatic conditions. Contaminants found in greywater are largely associated with the type of detergent used and influenced by other household practices. Many of the treatment systems reviewed were unable to provide total treatment as each system has its unique strength in removing a group of targeted pollutants. The review revealed that some naturally occurring materials such as Moringa oleifera , sawdust, can be used to remove targeted pollutants in greywater. The study further showed that user perceptions towards greywater treatment and reuse were only favourable towards non-potable purposes, mostly due to perceived contamination or lack of trust in the level of treatment offered by the treatment system.