What is a common use for gray water in facilities?

The common use for gray water in facilities is flushing toilets. Gray water refers to relatively clean water that is generated from sinks, showers, and laundry, excluding water from toilets, which is termed black water. One of the most efficient and environmentally sustainable applications of gray water is in toilet flushing.

Using gray water to flush toilets conserves freshwater resources, reduces the demand on municipal water supplies, and manages wastewater more effectively. Facilities can implement systems that collect gray water, treat it minimally if necessary, and redirect it to toilets for flushing. This practice is both economically beneficial and environmentally sound, promoting sustainability within the facility.

Other options, such as drinking water supply and cooking, require much higher water quality standards and safety regulations that gray water does not meet. Swimming pools also typically need to use treated water rather than gray water to ensure health and hygiene standards are maintained.