xDiscover which common building fixtures are considered graywater sources for LEED certification. Learn why lavatory faucets qualify as graywater while other options do not.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following is a source of graywater?
A. Urinals
B. Lavatory faucets
C. Sprinklers
D. Toilets
Answer
B. Lavatory faucets
Explanation
Graywater refers to relatively clean wastewater from domestic activities such as washing dishes, laundry, and bathing. Water from lavatory faucets falls into this category. Graywater can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing or irrigation, which can help conserve water.
Graywater refers to wastewater generated from non-toilet plumbing fixtures such as showers, baths, and bathroom sink faucets (lavatory faucets). This wastewater contains lower levels of contaminants compared to blackwater from toilets and urinals.
Key points about graywater sources:
- Graywater originates from fixtures like bathroom sinks, showers, and baths. Lavatory faucets are a type of bathroom sink, making them a source of graywater.
- Graywater does not include wastewater from toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, or dishwashers. These fixtures produce blackwater, which has higher levels of contaminants and requires more intensive treatment.
- Water from sprinklers is not considered graywater because it has not been used inside the building for any purpose yet. Sprinkler water is fresh water, not wastewater.
In LEED, graywater is seen as a resource that can be reused for non-potable purposes like landscape irrigation or toilet flushing after undergoing treatment. Reusing graywater helps reduce freshwater consumption and wastewater generation in green buildings.
To summarize, lavatory faucets are considered a graywater source in LEED because they produce wastewater with lower contamination levels suitable for on-site reuse after proper treatment. Toilets and urinals generate blackwater, while sprinklers use freshwater, so they are not graywater sources.
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