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With the cost of water and sewerage rising, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their water usage. One way to do this is to install a greywater system.

So how much does a typical greywater system cost, and what components do you need to buy?

This article will discuss how much it costs to install and maintain a greywater system in your home. We’ll also cover the critical components of the system that you may need to buy.

Table of Contents

How Much Does a Home Greywater System Cost?

The average cost of a home greywater system is $2,500. However, the price may vary depending on the size and type of the system. You’ll need several components to operate a greywater system. These are a storage tank, pump, diverter, and filter.

Average Cost Breakdown of a Greywater System

The cost of greywater systems varies depending on the size of the home and the system type. For a typical home, a greywater system costs between $500 and $5,000.

The most common type is a gravity-fed system, costing between $500 and $2,500. A pump-fed system typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000. In addition, this system requires more maintenance.

A pump-fed Install installed outside a home next to the building's exterior — Courtesy of Renew.

The cost of a greywater system also varies depending on the climate. In a dry region, a greywater system can cost as little as $500. In a wet environment, the cost can be as high as $5,000.

Greywater System Installation Costs

The installation cost will depend on your priority. For example, a simple system that only recycles water from your kitchen sink alone might cost you around $500.

However, a more complex setup that recycles water from your shower, washing machine, and kitchen sink could cost more than $3,000. Of course, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of professional installation. Again, this can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

Overall, it’s essential to research and get a few quotes before making any installation decisions.

Greywater System Maintenance Costs

Maintaining a greywater system is not as expensive as you might think. However, the maintenance cost will depend on the size and complexity of the system. It will also depend on the frequency of use.

On average, you can expect to spend between $50 and $100 per year on maintenance. This figure includes the electricity you need to operate the pump. It also covers the cost of any necessary chemicals for water treatment.

Generally, smaller systems require less maintenance than larger ones. Additionally, setups that recycle greywater for use in the home (such as for toilet flushing or irrigation) will need to be serviced more often than those that discharge greywater to the sewer.

Here are some examples of typical maintenance costs for different types of greywater systems:

Small batch discharge system: $30-$50 per year
Continuous discharge system: $100-$200 per year
Recycling system: $250-$500 per year

Maintenance costs also include replacing any parts that wear out over time. These components may be the pumps or filters.

Key Components of a Typical Home Greywater System

A typical home greywater system requires several components to perform effectively.

These aspects include:

1.) Greywater Source

You can collect greywater from various sources, including showers, baths, laundry, and kitchen sinks. It’s important to consider where you’ll be collecting greywater from. Also, factor in how much water you’ll need to gather to make the system worth your investment.

A homeowner pre-rinses a mug before putting it in the dishwasher

2.) Greywater Diverter

The greywater diverter is installed between your home’s plumbing and the sewer line. It is typically from the shower, laundry, or bathroom sink outlets. The diverter diverts greywater from the sewer line and directs it to the greywater storage pump.

3.) Greywater Pump

The pump drives water from the diverter to the filtration system. Greywater pumps are typically submersible pumps designed to handle water containing solids.

The Davey Pressure Booster Pump is an oft-used submersible pump used in greywater systems.

Submersible pumps offer different features and benefits that may be suited to your specific needs. Therefore, it’s crucial to do your research to find the model that best meets your requirements.

4.) Storage Tank

The storage tank can be installed underground or above ground. It’s mostly made of concrete, plastic, or fiberglass (such as the Flowtite Fiberglass tank). A storage tank facilitates the storage of greywater for future use. A typical-size storage tank can hold around 1,000 gallons of greywater.

5.) Distribution System

The distribution system distributes the greywater from the storage tank to the various points where you’ll use it.

One destination of the greywater is the irrigation system. For instance, in recent research we conducted, we found it practical to use recycled dehumidifier water to water your plants. Typically, the distribution system comprises a network of pipes and valves. This system can be gravity-fed or pump-fed.

Diagram displaying the various components of a greywater filtration system — Courtesy of Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology

6.) Treatment System

The treatment system is used to remove contaminants from the greywater. You can do this through filtration, aeration, or other methods.

You may need a disinfection system to kill any harmful bacteria. Disinfection can be done with ultraviolet light, chlorine, or other methods.

7.) Greywater Filtration System

Diagram of a DIY Greywater System — Courtesy of Climateb iz

The filtration system filters greywater before it is discharged into the environment.

Greywater filtration systems typically include:

Sediment Filter

A sediment filter is one of the critical components of a greywater filtration system. It removes sediment and other particulates from the water before entering the system. This feature helps to keep the setup clean and running smoothly.

There are two types of sediment filters:

Cartridge filters are the most common type of sediment filter. They consist of a housing that contains one or more filter cartridges. The sediment is trapped in the filter cartridges as water flows through the housing.
Inline filters are less common, but they are growing in popularity. They work in conjunction with the greywater piping. The sediment is trapped in the filter as water flows through the piping.

Carbon Filter

A carbon filter is one of the critical components of a greywater filtration system. Carbon filters remove impurities from water, including chlorine, chemicals, and other contaminants.

Greywater systems typically use a two-stage filtration process, with a carbon filter as the first stage. Carbon filters work by adsorbing impurities onto the surface of the carbon.

UV Filter

UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other microorganisms in water. This makes the water safe for irrigation and other purposes.

When considering purchasing a greywater system for your home, it is crucial to understand these critical components. This comprehension will ensure that you buy the right product for your needs.

This video shows a demo of how the components of a greywater system work:

Screenshot from a video showing how a a greywater system works — Courtesy of Taran Smith

Why Greywater Systems?

Water is essential for life. Yet, around two billion people worldwide cannot access clean water.

The average family uses over 300 gallons (1,135.62 liters) of water daily in the US. Of that water, nearly 30% is used for landscaping.

One way to address the clean water problem is to use greywater systems. Greywater can facilitate most household activities. Greywater is a great way to reduce your water bill. In fact, according to a recent report by Solarponics, a typical family can save about 50% on their water bill by using greywater.

What Does a Home Greywater System Cost? (+7 Components To Buy)