Greywater production in airports : qualitative and quantitative assessment.

Abstract

Airport complexes are great water consumers where the adoption of reuse practices adapted to their particular characteristics may represent significant savings of financial and environmental resources. Greywater reuse is an important alternative for reducing potable water consumption in airports. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of greywater produced in airport environments and the reuse potential of such effluent. This study was developed in a mid-size airport in Brazil, where a qualitative assessment of greywater produced by different activities was performed. The results were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. Greywater production in the administrative buildings was estimated by the application of questionnaires and interviewing employees, and compared to the nonpotable demand in these buildings. The results showed that the quality of the greywater produced in the airport is similar to that produced in residences and can be easily treated for reuse purposes. In quantitative terms, greywater reuse can meet the non-potable demand and provide great savings of water and financial resources, in addition to priceless environmental benefits.