What is gray water?

Gray water refers to the relatively clean wastewater that is generated from household activities such as washing dishes, bathing, and doing laundry. It does not include water from toilets, which is classified as black water due to its higher potential for contamination. This distinction is important in septic system design and waste management because gray water can often be reused for non-potable applications, such as irrigation, without the need for extensive treatment.

The other options do not accurately represent gray water. Water from toilets is categorized as black water, while chemically treated water for reuse would typically refer to reclaimed water, not gray water. Lastly, stormwater runoff is related to precipitation that flows over surfaces and can collect various contaminants, making it distinctly different from gray water. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper environmental management and plumbing practices.