#3469 · Energy & Environment Tool

Greywater Reuse Flow Requirement Calculator

Size the required design flow for a greywater reuse treatment or transfer system. Enter daily volume, the hours available to process it, a peak factor, and planned downtime. The calculator converts average daily demand into an adjusted hourly and per-minute flow so pumps and treatment components can be screened against the operating window.

Calculator

Hydraulic design assumptions
gal/day
hr/day
×
%

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the design values using consistent daily-volume and cost units.
  2. Adjust efficiency, availability, operating time, or reserve assumptions to match the intended system.
  3. Select Calculate and review the main result plus the supporting metrics.
  4. Test a conservative scenario before using the estimate for equipment screening or budgeting.

Formula

Required hourly flow = (daily volume ÷ operating hours) × peak factor ÷ (1 − downtime fraction)

Required gallons per minute equals adjusted hourly flow divided by 60.

What the result means

The main result is the treatment or transfer rate needed during available operating hours after applying peak and downtime allowances.

Hydraulic equipment should also be checked against instantaneous fixture discharge, pump curves, head loss, minimum turndown, equalization storage, and manufacturer limits.

Example calculation

For 1,200 gal/day processed over 12 hours, a 1.5 peak factor and 10% downtime allowance require (1,200 ÷ 12) × 1.5 ÷ 0.90 = 166.67 gal/hour, or 2.78 gpm.

Tips for better results

  • Use measured demand and source data when available.
  • Model the season or operating period that is most likely to constrain performance.
  • Keep physical losses separate from operational downtime.
  • Round equipment capacity upward only after checking manufacturer operating ranges.
  • Document each assumption so alternatives can be compared consistently.

Frequently asked questions

Why divide greywater reuse volume by operating hours instead of 24?

Equipment must process the daily volume within the hours it is actually available to run.

What does the peak factor represent?

It adds capacity for variation above the base hourly average; choose it from measured patterns or design criteria.

How is downtime allowance applied?

The adjusted flow is divided by the available fraction, one minus the downtime percentage.

Is the gallons-per-minute result a pump selection by itself?

No. Pump head, efficiency, controls, solids handling, and operating range also matter.

Can the processing window exceed 24 hours?

No. This calculator treats the input as hours available within one design day.

Planning input guide

Input conceptPlanning use
Volume or flowUse the same gallon basis throughout the calculation.
Efficiency or allowanceEnter percentages as displayed, from 0 to 100.
Operating conditionBase it on the intended design period, not an unrelated annual peak.

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