Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2014, 6, 1259-1267 Published Online October 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jwarp http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2014.614115 How to cite this paper: Tiruneh, A.T. (2014) A Grey Water Dam Design for the Treatment and Reuse of Grey Water from Single and Multiple Households. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 6, 1259-1267. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2014.614115 A Grey Water Dam Design for the Treatment and Reuse of Grey Water from Single and Multiple Households Ababu Teklemariam Tiruneh Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland Email: atiruneh@uniswa.sz Received 25 August 2014; revised 21 September 2014; accepted 6 October 2014 Copyright © 2014 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract An innovative design for the treatment and reuse of grey water is presented in the form of a grey water dam which is an outgrowth of the vertical grey water tower. A hydraulic equation has been formulated and is presented in this paper which is used to determine the seepage path within the grey water dam, and determine the dimensions of the dam components. The hydraulic equation model also helps in avoiding soil piping problems by keeping the phreatic line within the grey wa- ter dam. Vegetables are planted around the surface of the dam as a reuse option while helping re- cycling of water in the form of evapotranspiration. A successful pilot trial of this dam was run in Mnyamatsini area in Swaziland which can accept grey water from multiple households. Keywords Grey Water, Water Reuse, Water Recycling, Wastewater Treatment, Pollution, Environmental Protection 1. Introduction Water scarcity is a pressing problem being faced all over the world that prompted the need for conservation of water including the use of grey water [1]. Grey water is part of the wastewater generated from household water using activities including bathing, hand basins, washing machines, dish washing, laundry and kitchen [2]. Grey water does not include water from toilets. Grey water volume is often high (accounts for 50% - 80% of the water volume) and is less polluted. It is, therefore, considered as a potential source for water reuse option [3]-[6]. Reuse of grey water is being practiced in many countries because of the need for water saving and as a way of management to reduce transport of pollution to other areas. Water savings ranging from 10% - 80% have been