This project is based on the following California State Science fair project, a winner of the Science Buddies Clever Scientist Award. Fresh drinking water is something many of us take for granted. We're so used to turning on the tap every day that we don't really think about it.

Recycling

Think what it would be like if you had to walk a few hundred meters to get your water, and walk it back home in a big container. How many trips would you have to make to supply your needs for one day? Having to carry your own water might change your whole outlook about how much water you use daily. One way to conserve water is to find ways to use it twice. Many households use more water to keep their lawn and garden green than they use for cooking, cleaning and drinking.

Could it be possible to take water that has been used once for washing called greywater and use it again to water outdoor plants? Or would the detergents and oils in the wash water harm the plants and soil? It is important to note that used toilet water called blackwater is most definitely not suitable for re-use. To maintain public health, blackwater must pass through a water treatment plant or septic system before being released back into the environment.

Greg Cloud was interested in exploring ways to reduce water usage, and decided to try an experiment with greywater and plants for his science fair project.

He designed a well-controlled experiment to test whether or not greywater would damage plants. Half of the plants in his study were watered with greywater, and the other half with normal tap water. He made daily observations and measurements to assess the health of the plants in both groups. Greg's project brought him all the way to the California State Science Fair, where he won a Science Buddies Clever Scientist award. You can design your own experiment to find out if greywater is suitable for irrigating ornamental plants.

Before you start, you should do some background research on greywater— for example, what it contains, and the proper methods for handling it. You should also investigate what is already known about using greywater for irrigation. Perhaps some plants will be more sensitive, and others less so. You could even expand Greg's experiment and try several different types of plants.

Each plant type should have an experimental group that is watered with greywater, and a control group that is watered with tap water. The other growing conditions amount of sunlight, type of soil, location, etc. Try this experiment and see what you can learn about safely reusing water to conserve fresh water. To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:.

These sites have background information on greywater. You won't be building an elaborate system for this project, but you will still find lots of useful information about greywater itself and how to use it safely.

This project is based on the following California State Science fair project, a winner of the Science Buddies Clever Scientist Award:. Science Buddies occasionally provides information such as part numbers, supplier names, and supplier weblinks to assist our users in locating specialty items for individual projects.

The information is provided solely as a convenience to our users. We do our best to make sure that part numbers and descriptions are accurate when first listed. However, since part numbers do change as items are obsoleted or improved, please send us an email if you run across any parts that are no longer available.

We also do our best to make sure that any listed supplier provides prompt, courteous service. Science Buddies does participate in affiliate programs with Amazon. Proceeds from the affiliate programs help support Science Buddies, a c 3 public charity.

If you have any comments positive or negative related to purchases you've made for science fair projects from recommendations on our site, please let us know. Write to us at scibuddy sciencebuddies. Untreated greywater should not be kept for longer than one day, but adding two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water will extend storage time somewhat. Try to use greywater the day it is collected or how recycling plants make money high bacteria count will cause objectionable odors.

Compared to a typical science class, please tell us how much you learned doing this project.

Error (Forbidden)

What was the most important thing you learned? That recycling can save a lot of money. Also you can help the environment. That greywater can be used for a short period of time on plants, but it should not be used as a replacement for regular water. Can you suggest any improvements or ideas? Perhaps more reference sites? Like more websites to check out for more information, or even more detailed procedures.

That by using greywater to water non-consuming plants, that we can learn how to recycle better. What problems did you encounter? My plants died because I had to do my experiment in the winter time. Try one of our science activities for quick, anytime science explorations.

The perfect thing to liven up a rainy day, school vacation, or moment of boredom. Attach a picture of your project JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG only. You can find this page online at: You may print and distribute up to copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies.

Log In Create an Account. Home Store Project Ideas Project Guide Ask An Expert Blog Careers Teachers Parents Students.

Show Others Like This. Can Plants Tolerate It? Science Buddies, 30 June Can Plants Tolerate It?. Retrieved June 21, from https: Share your story with Science Buddies! I Did Currency rate in pak rupees Project!

Please log in and let us know how things went. Introduction Fresh drinking water is something many of us take for granted. Terms and Concepts To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts: Greywater Detergents Blackwater Plants and plant growth Questions What are the sources of greywater in your home? What does greywater from different sources contain?

Are detergents alkaline or acidic? How might plants react to the different components in greywater? Bibliography These sites have background information on greywater. Using Gray Water on the Landscape. University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Retrieved June 28, from http: Useful Links Related to Greywater Reuse, Recycling, and Water Conservation. Washington State Department of Health.

Retrieved January 31, from http: Safe Use of Household Greywater. New Mexico State University. Here is information on plant choices for greywater: Irrigating Plants with Greywater. This project is based on the following California State B including binary options brokers reviews fair project, a winner of the Science Buddies Clever Dayz sa trading post Award: Gray Water Effects on Plant Irani toman currency rate in pakistan. A computerized matching algorithm suggests the above articles.

It's not as smart as you are, and it may occasionally give humorous, ridiculous, or even annoying results! Learn more about the B including binary options brokers reviews Feed.

Materials and Equipment To do this experiment you will need the following materials and equipment: At least ten plants more is better: The plants should all be the same species. They should be growing under the same conditions sunlight, soil, etc. It is best to use older, more mature plants, not seedlings for this project.

Greywater, here are some tips: Exchange forex market foreign trade suggest using water from your clothes washer. Do not use water containing either bleach or fabric softener. These can be purchased at a local drug store or 1920s stock market crash was called black friday, or through an online supplier like Carolina Biological Supply Company.

If you stock option repricing rules allergic to latex, use vinyl or polyethylene gloves. Experimental Procedure Safety Notes: Greywater is waste water from washing machines, sinks, and bathtubs, not toilets blackwater.

Do not use laundry water from loads in which diapers were washed. Do not use greywater on your vegetable garden. Wear gloves when handling greywater, and always wash up afterwards.

In addition, here are some success story of a forex trader from Forex kedy obchodovat Mexico State University NMSU, Observe these precautions when using untreated greywater: Greywater containing sodium, bleach or borax can damage plants.

For this reason, water from automatic dishwashers should not be used for irrigation.

Water used to wash cooking utensils in the sink may contain grease, fats and oils, and is not acceptable for greywater use. If you plan to use water from your washing machine, avoid liquid fabric softeners and detergents with softeners. Use a dryer fabric softener sheet instead. Variations Do background research to find out which types of plants will do well and which plants not so well with greywater.

For example, plants that like acidic soil would probably not do well with greywater irrigation, because greywater is alkaline. Design an experiment to test how well different plant types grow with greywater.

View feedback on this project from other users. Hide feedback on this project from other users Recent Feedback Submissions Sort by Date Sort by User Name pandacutiexox said: Nothing What problems did you encounter? None Can you suggest any improvements or ideas? No Overall, how would you rate the quality of this project?

Excellent What is your enthusiasm for science after doing your project? Very high Compared to a typical science class, please tell us how much you learned doing this project. Much more Do you agree? Well trying to gather enough greywater. Overall, how would you rate the quality of this project? Very Good What is your enthusiasm for science after doing your project?

Ask an Expert The Ask an Expert Forum is intended to be a place where students can go to find answers to science questions that they have been unable to find using other resources. If you have specific questions about your science fair project or science fair, our team of volunteer scientists can help.

Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot. Ask an Expert Related Links Science Fair Project Guide Other Ideas Like This Environmental Science Project Ideas My Favorites Measuring Plant Growth. If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers: Plant Scientist With a growing world population, making sure that there is enough food for everyone is critical.

Plant scientists work to ensure that agricultural practices result in an abundance of nutritious food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

Soil and Water Conservationist Soil and water are two of Earth's most important natural resources. Earth would not be able to sustain life without nutritive soil to grow food and clean water to drink. Soil and water conservationists foster the science and art of natural resource conservation. The scientists work to discover, develop, implement, and constantly improve ways to use land that sustains its productive capacity, and enhances the environment at the same time.

Soil and water conservationists are involved in improving conservation policy by bringing science and professional judgment to bear in shaping local, state, and federal policy. Agricultural Technician As the world's population grows larger, it is important to improve the quality and yield of food crops and animal food sources. Agricultural technicians work in the forefront of this very important research area by helping scientists conduct novel experiments. If you would like to combine technology with the desire to see things grow, then read further to learn more about this exciting career.

What about the water that factories discharge after making products? Or the water that runs off of roads and farmlands after a big storm?

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators run the amazing water treatment plants that remove pollutants and other harmful materials from waste water, so that it can be safely returned to the environment. These operators provide essential services that everyone in the community depends on every day to keep our water supply safe and clean.

Excellent Very good Good OK Poor. Very high High Moderate Low Very low.

Yes, recycling is still good business — if this happens | GreenBiz

Much more More About the same Less Much less. Caption for picture characters left. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission is strictly prohibited. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Fair Use. Sort by User Name.