By Sofia Corsetti
With the Great Lakes right at its doorstep and a web of rivers and streams crisscrossing its landscapes, it’s easy to believe that Ontario has all the water it needs. However, many areas in the province face challenges in managing water sustainably.
Decentralized greywater recycling can conserve water, reduce the strain on municipal infrastructure, and fit seamlessly into the growing green building movement. With Ontario’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund investing $970 million in 54 water infrastructure projects, now is the perfect time for developers to look at this technology. These investments are set to enable the construction of over 500,000 new homes, and smart water management will be key in supporting this massive expansion.
How greywater recycling works
Hydraloop’s greywater recycling systems utilize a proprietary, filterless technology to treat wastewater from showers, baths, and optionally washing machines, as well as condensation from HVAC systems. The treatment process employs six sustainable methods: sedimentation, flotation, dissolved air flotation, foam fractionation, an aerobic bioreactor, and UV disinfection.
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This multi-stage approach effectively removes contaminants, producing clean, non-potable water suitable for toilet flushing, laundry, garden irrigation, and pool top-ups. By integrating these systems, buildings can reduce water consumption by 25–45%, contributing to significant utility savings and promoting sustainable water management. Additionally, Hydraloop devices are IoT-enabled, allowing for real-time monitoring and control to ensure optimal performance and user convenience.
Not only does this drastically reduce the demand on freshwater sources, but it also allows developers to build more water-efficient homes and buildings, future-proofed against increasing regulations around water conservation.
One of the most promising examples of this is an ongoing pilot project with the Region of Waterloo and Ontario developer, Activa. This collaboration is exploring how integrating Hydraloop systems into residential homes can help recycle up to 45% of household water.
Other municipalities across Ontario are beginning to show interest in creating similar rebate programs, recognizing the mutual benefits for both builders and local water management.
Ontario’s developers have an enormous opportunity to lead the charge toward sustainable housing. Hydraloop offers flexible solutions for a variety of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. The H300 can manage the greywater recycling needs of a household, while the H600 can be scaled up to accommodate multi-unit buildings. For large-scale developments, the Cascade system provides an integrated solution, supporting multi-residential, commercial and hospitality applications.
Hydraloop systems can save up to 45% of water, depending on the application, all while reducing a building’s carbon footprint and operational costs. Transporting water requires massive amounts of energy, therefore reducing the need for both freshwater and wastewater through greywater recycling, will result in significant energy savings. These systems not only conserve water but also reduce the amount of wastewater discharged.
This technology can be used in a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial, hotels, offices, and sports facilities.
Sofia Corsetti is with Hydraloop. For more information, email: sofia.corsetti@hydraloop.com, or visit www. hydraloop.com
This article appeared in the February 2025 edition of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine. Read the full issue below.
