Reusing water from showers as another step in tackling the drought | Info Barcelona | Barcelona City Council

Greywater refers to the domestic water we use when we have a bath or a shower at home. Using a suitable collection and treatment system, this water can be put to other uses, for instance cisterns. The saving achieved could potentially reach 30% of safe water.

With this as the goal, the first steps are now being taken towards the new by-law on greywater for new buildings and major renovations. The first step will be a participatory process with users, public stakeholders and technicians, organisations and the general public.

Estimates put the volume of grey water generated by a household of four people at 200 litres a day, with each person using an average of 35 litres a day flushing the toilet. The investment required to install the reuse system is minimal and is quickly recovered, allowing for a direct saving of 90 euros a year per home in a block of 16 homes and up to 170 euros a year per home in a block of 50 homes, on top of the direct environmental benefits from cutting the consumption of safe water.

The new by-law on greywater in the city of Barcelona is part of the plan for alternative water resources in Barcelona (PLARHAB) and the climate emergency action plan 2030.

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