Graytec - Regulatory obstacles graywater re-use

Important results from the project

We have identified regulatory obstacles to reuse recycled greywater in residential buildings in urban environments for human use (not consumption). We have solved challenges with approvals to test systems in research facilities like HSB Living Lab and KTH Live-In Lab. This is important as HSB LL will show the importance of recycling for hygiene purposes. We have identified obstacles and have analysed in a report what, how and which effect it will have on the development of our company and the market in general. A road-map is essential in our continued effort to drive change within the area.

Expected long term effects

As we now have an overview of the challenges and problems associated with rules and regulations of using reusing greywater in buildings, we can focus on positive changes through cross collaboration with agencies, research organisations, academia and interest groups, to drive change that benefits the industry in terms of development and innovation. We are improving on rules to recycle water for simper applications like toilet flushing och irrigation etc. but we lack regulations for circular systems that can save large amounts of water. We got approval for our project at HSB LL.

Approach and implementation

We have through personal meetings, over the phone and research of regulations, directives and standards at both KTH and Chalmers, different agencies, municipalities and then compiled the results. Primarily, the discussions has been around what is missing, not on what exists as it is limited. As we explain in the report there is a lack of understanding of possibilities and consequences if/when the market gets regulations and incentives to recycle water in our buildings for hygiene purposes. The approval to install our system gives us the possibility to show the benefits of these systems.