Every Indian household flushes away hundreds of litres of water from baths, basins, and laundry every day. What if some of that water could be cleaned and reused instead of letting it vanish? This guide walks you through designing, installing, and using eco-friendly greywater systems in India for domestic reuse—all in simple English, with real examples and Indian vendor mentions.
Why Greywater Recycling Matters
Greywater refers to domestic wastewater from showers, basins, and laundry—excluding toilet waste. It’s much easier to treat than black water and can be reused for toilet flushing, gardening, or washing cars.
In India, water is precious. Cities like Chennai generate more than half their supply as greywater, most of which goes untreated back into drains. National schemes aim for cities to meet up to 20% of water demand through treated reuse.
What a Greywater System Looks Like
A basic greywater system for homes involves:
- Collection: Channel shower, basin, and washing machine water separately into a holding tank.
- Treatment: Cleanup through settling, filtration, biological processes, and disinfection.
- Reuse Storage: Storing treated water for use.
- Distribution: Piping it to toilets, garden taps, or washing points.
Local suppliers like Shubham Aqua Vitro offer packaged underground or above-ground systems combining treatment technologies. JalSevak Solutions, based in Pune, provides compact, affordable systems installed in homes across multiple Indian cities—saving over 500 L/day for a family of five. Larger developers like Godrej Properties integrate greywater treatment in projects, primarily for irrigation and flushing.
Step-by-Step: Domestic Reuse Design Made Simple
1. Begin with Planning
- Estimate your greywater: bath + laundry ~60–120 L per person/day.
- Check reuse needs: toilet flushing, garden irrigation, or cleaning.
- Ensure feasibility: separate greywater from blackwater lines; in-situ treatment is recommended.
2. Design a Treatment Flow
- Collection tank with coarse screen to trap debris.
- Sedimentation chamber to let dirt settle.
- Biological treatment: Aerobic filters or bio-chambers using microbes and microfiltration produce water suitable for reuse.
- Disinfection: Chlorine tablets or UV treatment.
- Optional polishing: Activated carbon or fine filters for clarity and odour removal.
3. Install and Commission
- Use compact packaged systems for turn-key installation.
- Or install tank, filters, and pumps custom via local firms.
- Ensure separated pipelines for greywater and supply pipes.
4. Monitor & Maintain Regularly
- Weekly: Clean screens and check pumps.
- Monthly: Inspect filters and sediment tank.
- Quarterly: Disinfect lines and clean storage tank.
Without upkeep, water quality degrades quickly—clogs, algae, and odour may develop.
Real-Life Example: Pune Household Saving 500 L Daily
- Who: Family of 5 installed a JalSevak system for ₹1.25 lakh.
- Result: Treated greywater from showers and sinks is now used for toilets and gardens, saving ~500 L/day.
- Why it works: Affordable, compact, easy to maintain, with quick payback.
Vendor & Technology Directory (India-Focused)
| Vendor | Description |
| JalSevak Solutions | Compact, affordable on-site systems saving ~500 L/day, ₹1.25 lakh cost |
| Shubham Aqua Vitro | Packaged greywater treatment plants with installations across major cities |
| Trity Enviro Solutions | Greywater recycling systems at competitive prices |
| Godrej Properties | Integrates greywater reuse (filtration + UV) in residential projects |
Key Tips for Domestic Greywater Reuse
- Use eco-friendly soaps and detergents; harsh chemicals harm biological treatment.
- Avoid kitchen sink and toilet water in greywater recycling.
- Label reuse plumbing clearly: “Non-potable water—do not drink.”
- Consider nature-based alternatives like vermifilters using earthworms and microbes.
- FolkeWall planted vertical walls can filter greywater while growing vegetation in tight spaces.
- In larger buildings, drain-water heat recovery can pre-heat cold water, saving energy.
Brief FAQ
- Is greywater reuse legal in India?
Yes, legal if local health and sanitation rules are followed. Developers integrate systems with proper plumbing and treatment. - Can I use greywater for the garden and toilets?
Yes, once treated, it’s ideal for both, reducing fresh water use by up to 40%. - Is it costly?
Standard systems cost around ₹1–1.5 lakh, but reduce water bills and environmental strain. Shared systems in multi-house societies are cost-effective.
Final Summary: Why You Should Act Today
- India faces water stress; greywater reuse reduces fresh water demand.
- Compact, local solutions are affordable and scalable for homes.
- Capture, treat, and reuse water with routine upkeep.
- Reduce freshwater use, sewage load, and build a sustainable home.