Is grey water safe?
Although grey water “sounds” much cleaner than black water, it has its own erratic qualities and problems and these need to be understood if it is to be successfully re-used in the garden. The grey water from baths, showers, and washing machines contains pathogenic organisms that multiply rapidly if the water is stored for more than 24 hours in warm conditions. The water does not smell too bad when first generated, but if stored for more than a day or so it may become very smelly. When storing in a water butt, do not store for extended periods or in very warm weather.
