Gris: A Cost-Effective Water Saving SystemEfficiently Collecting and Reusing Greywater
Decrease of water resources is a worldwide problem nowadays. Potable water consumption is also a significant cost for every household. It’s crazy that we still use drinking water to flush the toilet! But the problem is that usually greywater systems are too expensive and too circumstantial to install – in most cases, you need to rebuild your complete sanitary system in your house. There is a need for billions of people, especially in the Third World, for a cheap, simple, and easily applicable greywater system.
'Gris' is an incredibly cost-effective water-saving system designed by Alberto Vasquez. It can collect all the water you use during a shower and reuse this collected 'greywater' for flushing the toilet, cleaning the house, and certain washing activities. This innovative system allows you to save at least 72 liters of water per person per day in an average household, which translates to at least 3.5 billion liters of saved water per day in a country with 50 million inhabitants like Colombia.
Gris consists of four interlocking water cells, each with a storage capacity of 10 liters. These cells are designed to be rotationally symmetrical, allowing for cost-effective production using a single injection molding tooling. The other parts of the system can also be produced through cost-effective injection molding and can be easily assembled by customers at home, similar to assembling IKEA furniture. This approach reduces manufacturing costs significantly.
The dimensions of each water cell are 42.5cm x 42.5cm x 8cm, which is equivalent to the size of an average domestic bucket. This ensures that the system is manageable for users, including housewives who may need to handle the weight. When all four cells are combined, the system has a capacity of 40 liters, allowing for easy flushing of toilets or irrigation of gardens if using appropriate shower gel.
Alberto Vasquez conducted extensive research for the Gris design, focusing on Colombia, where water consumption is a serious issue. He studied university research on water consumption habits in developing countries, conducted surveys among Colombian residents, and researched current greywater solutions. The goal was to understand why South Americans consume twice as much water as Europeans and why they struggle to reduce their water consumption or change their habits.
The main challenge in developing Gris was to integrate the system seamlessly into people's everyday habits. The key factors for widespread adoption were achieving the lowest possible cost and ensuring easy applicability and usability. By addressing these challenges, Gris offers an affordable and user-friendly solution to save water and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Gris was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2014 in the Social Design category. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Gris stands out for its integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, providing fulfillment and positive feelings while contributing to a better world.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Carlos Alberto Vasquez
Image Credits: Carlos Alberto Vasquez
Project Team Members: Carlos Alberto Vasquez
Project Name: Gris
Project Client: Carlos Alberto Vasquez