Domestic Greywater Generation Rates in a Tropical Peri-Urban Residential Community: Evidence from the National Water Resources Institute Residential Units, Kaduna, Nigeria

Hadiza Nuhu Ajoge, Rabia Lawal Batagarawa, Saminu Ahmed, Sani Dauda Ahmed

Abstract


This study quantified domestic greywater generation rates in a tropical peri-urban residential community to provide strong engineering design inputs for decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) residential units in Kaduna, Nigeria, served as a representative case. Greywater generated from non-toilet household activities, namely bathing, laundry, dishwashing and food preparation were quantified through direct field monitoring over a continuous 30-day period for a resident population of 50 persons. Daily greywater inflows were measured at source outlets and corrected for evaporation losses and rainfall contributions using on-site meteorological observations to obtain accurate net generation values suitable for hydraulic analysis. The total greywater volume recorded during the monitoring period was 81,601 L, corresponding to a mean per-capita generation rate of 54.4 L/person/day. Daily net inflows ranged from 2,550 to 3,005 L/day, with an average flow of approximately 2,720 L/day. These values indicate moderate household water-use patterns typical of peri-urban residential settings and exhibit limited temporal variability, supporting their applicability for steady-state and conservative design assumptions. The findings provide reliable, site-specific greywater generation data essential for decentralized sanitation planning and non-potable reuse assessment and offer a robust empirical basis for future decentralized wastewater treatment design studies.

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