How is gray water categorized in plumbing?

Gray water is categorized as wastewater that is generated from domestic activities such as washing dishes, laundry, and bathing, which generally makes it less contaminated compared to black water, which comes from toilets and urinals. The significant aspect of gray water is that while it may contain some impurities, it typically does not contain harmful pathogens at levels that would render it unsafe for certain types of reuse, such as landscape irrigation or toilet flushing. Understanding this categorization is important in plumbing because it can influence how gray water is treated and reused within a plumbing system, promoting water conservation practices. This distinction also plays a crucial role in designing plumbing systems that can safely handle and store gray water for appropriate applications while adhering to health and safety regulations.