He Z, Li Y, Qi B. Recent insights into greywater treatment: a comprehensive review on characteristics, treatment technologies, and pollutant removal mechanisms. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jun 1. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-21070-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35641750.
Highlights
- With rapid socio-economic and industrial development, the problem of water shortage is becoming increasingly serious, thus seeking alternative water sources to reduce the need for freshwater resources is of notable concern.
- Household greywater production is high and accounts for about 50-80% of domestic wastewater.
- Treated greywater can be used for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing and irrigation, which can greatly reduce the pressure on freshwater resource.
- This review paper looks at the sources, characteristics, quantity and quality of greywater. In addition, it outlines and summarises various greywater treatment technologies, including physical, biological, chemical and combination treatments.
- Understanding the mechanisms of contaminant removal is essential for effective greywater treatment and focus is given to the removal mechanisms of pollutants from greywater, including organics, nutrients, surfactants and emerging contaminants.
- Future perspectives on greywater management and reuse are presented.