Greywater Systems & How You Can Use Them (+Diagram)
Sam WilhoitWhy Consider a Greywater System
If you're tired of watching gallons of usable water go down the drain — and you're looking for a way to save money, reduce your water footprint, and help the planet — a greywater system is exactly what you need.
Whether you're dealing with drought, rising municipal water bills, or simply want to nourish your landscape irrigation with a smarter source, greywater recycling offers an environmentally responsible, cost-effective solution.
"We live in the desert, and water is scarce... It's been great to have all this additional water available for the garden." – Dave in Baja
Explore Aqua2use Greywater Systems →
What Is Greywater?
Greywater (or gray water) is "once-used" water from showers, baths, laundry, and bathroom sinks — not to be confused with black water from toilets or kitchen waste. Greywater contains less organic matter and fewer pathogens, making it safe to reuse for outdoor irrigation.
Every day, a typical household produces dozens, sometimes hundreds, of gallons of greywater. With the right system, and by using biodegradable, low-sodium, low-boron soaps and detergents, you can turn that water into nourishment for your native plants, ornamental gardens, and even canopy trees. In a vegetable garden, greywater should only be used on fruit trees, berry bushes, or above-ground crops like tomatoes and corn — never on root vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes, radishes) or raw-eaten leafy greens due to contamination risks.
"We live in a tiny house and this was the best purchase I could have made." – MrsT
How Greywater Systems Work
The Aqua2use Grey Water Diversion Device (GWDD) automatically collects water from your washing machine, shower, bathtub, or sink, then filters it through a four-stage system. This removes lint, hair, and organic matter without the use of harsh chemicals.
Filtered greywater is gravity-fed or pumped to your irrigation system via subsurface drip hoses, keeping your garden healthy and lush — even during water restrictions. The GWDD is compact, weather-resistant, code-compliant, and requires only minimal maintenance: a quick filter rinse every 4–6 months.
"Received a GWDD pump unit in 2020 and it has been performing top notch ever since... Top notch product!" – J.G.
Greywater Systems Diagram
Is Greywater Safe for Plants?
Yes. Greywater from showers, baths, and clothes washers often contains trace nutrients and biodegradable soaps that help plants grow. However, water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers is not recommended due to grease, food particles, and high sodium content.
For the best results, use greywater on:
- Native and ornamental plants
- Deciduous trees
- Non-edible portions of landscape plants
Observe Your Plants: Keep an eye on your plants' overall vigor. If they show signs of stress, stop using the product and try a substitute. Remember, poor plant health can also result from other factors such as over-watering, under-watering, or environmental conditions.
"We have the greenest bushes and wild roses in the area." – D & M's Cabin
Safe Soaps and Detergents to Use
For greywater systems, choose cleaning products labeled biodegradable or biocompatible. Avoid those containing salts or sodium compounds, boron/borate/borax, and chlorine bleach. Also steer clear of synthetic additives that harm soil health, including artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, and chemical preservatives.
To protect your soil and plants, choose products these products:
Laundry Detergent
- Oasis Laundry Liquid
- Bio Pac Laundry Liquid
- Soap Nuts
- Hydrogen Peroxide / Oxygen Bleach (non-chlorine)
- Everspring
- Seventh Generation
- Puretergent
Body & Sink Soaps / Shampoos
- Dr. Bronner's (Castile Soaps, especially Unscented Baby Mild)
- Alaffia Everyday Shampoo (unscented / coconut)
- Desert Essence Organics (fragrance-free / coconut)
- EO (Everyone) Shampoo – Unscented
- Aubrey Organics
- Biokleen Citrus Shampoo
Household Cleaners & All-Purpose
- Oasis Dishwash / All-Purpose Cleaner
- Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
- Ecos (Creamy Cleanser, Parsley Plus, Window Kleener, Floor Kleener)
Brands to Avoid for Greywater
- Tide
- Downy
- OxiClean
Any antibacterial soaps / cleaners
Any with bleach (sodium hypochlorite), boron/borax, or synthetic fragrance.
How Much Water Can You Reuse?
Here's what you might generate and irrigate with a greywater system:
| Bedrooms | Laundry (gpd) | Bathroom (gpd) | Total Flow | Irrigated Area (sqft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | 30 | 50 | 80 | 564 |
| 3 | 45 | 75 | 120 | 846 |
| 4 | 60 | 100 | 160 | 1129 |
| 5 | 75 | 125 | 200 | 1411 |
"I permanently live in a travel trailer. This system enabled me to begin watering all my plants and I've been happy with the results." – Jay Linden
Environmental and Financial Benefits
- Save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year
- Cut water bills by 30–40%
- Reduce demand on wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks
- Keep your yard green while conserving fresh water
- Promote climate-appropriate landscaping and sustainable water use
"I have had my Aqua2Use for about 5 years. It has performed flawlessly... easy to set up, and requires virtually no maintenance." – Martin
What to Consider Before Installing
Greywater systems work best when:
- Your soil has moderate permeability
- You have room for a surge tank or storage tank
- Local water authorities allow onsite greywater reuse
Always check your city's guidelines before installing a system in residential applications, apartment buildings, or commercial buildings.
Simple Maintenance & Long-Term Reliability
Each Aqua2use unit is designed for long-term performance with minimal upkeep:
- Rinse filters every 4–6 months
- Use a back-flushing pump in larger installations
- Avoid harmful chemicals in greywater
"The team answered our questions quickly and got us set up with the right system for our needs. Unit came quickly and worked perfect!" – Jason Steinbarger
Frequently Asked Questions About Greywater
How do you filter greywater for garden use?
Raw greywater carries lint, hair, and soap residue that will clog drip lines and soil over time. A diversion device like the Aqua2use GWDD runs the water through a four-stage progressive filter before it reaches your irrigation, so what lands on your garden is clean enough to soak in without pooling or odor — just rinse the filters every 4–6 months.
Can you store greywater?
Only briefly. Untreated greywater should be used within 24 hours — after that the nutrients break down, bacteria multiply, and it starts to smell. If you need a buffer, use a surge tank that holds the water just long enough to feed your irrigation zones, not a long-term storage tank.
Do you need a permit to install a greywater system?
It depends on your state and municipality. Many Western states — Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico — have greywater-friendly rules that allow simple laundry- and shower-to-landscape systems without a permit, while larger or plumbed systems may require one. Always check your local water authority before installing.
Can greywater be used indoors or to flush toilets?
Systems like the Aqua2use are designed for outdoor subsurface irrigation, not indoor reuse. Indoor reuse for toilet flushing or laundry requires the disinfection and pressurization found in higher-cost systems. For the vast majority of homes, garden irrigation delivers the biggest water savings for the lowest cost.
Which plants should you avoid watering with greywater?
Keep greywater off root vegetables — carrots, potatoes, onions, radishes — and anything eaten raw, since the water contacts the edible part. It's ideal for ornamentals, native plants, shrubs, lawns, and fruit trees. Choose biodegradable, low-sodium, low-boron soaps to keep your soil healthy.
Does greywater smell?
Properly filtered and promptly used greywater shouldn't smell. Odor usually means water is sitting too long or pooling on the surface instead of soaking in — both solved by filtration and subsurface drip lines.
How much water can a greywater system save?
A typical household can reuse up to 40,000 gallons a year and cut water bills by 30–40%, depending on household size and climate. See the reuse table above for estimates by number of bedrooms.
How much does a greywater system cost?
Entry-level diversion systems like the Aqua2use GWDD start around $629 — a fraction of the $8,000–$30,000 typical of high-end indoor recycling systems.
Choose Aqua2use: The Trusted Name in Greywater Recycling
Whether you're in a tiny house, cabin, commercial property, or family home, Aqua2use offers the most dependable and cost-effective solution to help you:
- Conserve water
- Protect your plants
- Meet sustainability goals
