Green water

Exploring ways to reduce water use, as well as new and sustainable ways to supply water is very important to us, and that is why we are working with developers to install green water systems into new homes.

What is Green water?

Green water provides a fit for purpose source of water for household appliances where drinking water quality is not necessary. 

Typically, drinking water is supplied to all appliances, however green water can be used for flushing toilets, watering gardens and in some cases for use in washing machines.  Green water sources should not be used for drinking, bathing, dishwashing or anything that needs safe and wholesome water quality.

There are several different sources of green water: rainwater, stormwater, groundwater and recycled water. 

 

Anglian Water is currently focusing on the following three:

 

  • Rainwater harvesting systems capture the rainfall directly from the roof by redirecting the downpipes into a storage tank.
  • Stormwater harvesting systems capture surface water runoff in a storage tank or pond. The water can be treated, if required, then supplied to houses through a green pipe network. These systems can also be combined with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
  • Water recycling systems capture and treat the used water from homes so it can be reused. They can include options for individual houses, such as greywater reuse, or much larger centralised water recycling systems.