Georgia Septic Installer Practice Test

Which type of wastewater is primarily composed of household waste, bathing, and laundry water?

1. Gray water

2. Black water

3. Industrial water

4. Stormwater

The correct answer is: Gray water

Gray water is the correct answer and is defined as wastewater that comes from sources such as sinks, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines. This type of water typically does not contain significant amounts of human waste, which differentiates it from black water, which is wastewater containing sewage from toilets. Understanding gray water is crucial for septic installers because it can be reused for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, which can help conserve water and reduce the load on septic systems. In contrast, other types of wastewater mentioned, such as black water, which should be treated more stringently due to its contamination level, and industrial water, which features waste from manufacturing processes, do not fit the description of this primarily household-origin wastewater. Stormwater, meanwhile, is rainwater that flows over land and impervious surfaces and is not comprised of domestic waste.