Date du document : 26/02/2026
Date de mise en ligne : 17/06/2026
In the context of water scarcity affecting certain regions, French regulations concerning water use inside buildings have evolved over the past 20 years (particularly regarding rainwater harvesting).
The use of greywater recovered from sanitary facilities in public buildings and other buildings, as well as other wastewater unfit for human consumption (EICH), is the subject of a draft regulation for which the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) has been consulted by the General Directorate of Health.
The HCSP emphasizes its formal opposition to the reuse of wastewater for domestic purposes, including in an experimental setting, due in particular to significant health risks. Furthermore, considering the benefit-risk balance to be insufficient, the HCSP advises against the use of greywater for watering vegetable gardens.
The HCSP recommends clarifying the requirements for the information to be recorded in the health and maintenance logbook for the experimental system using industrial chemical waste. It suggests compiling all the information in a single logbook.
The HCSP draws attention to the ambiguity surrounding the terms "users" and "operators", particularly within co-owned properties and business premises, and the difficulty in ensuring prior authorization from both "users" and "operators."
The HCSP reiterates that the volumes of EICH used will impact the quality management of drinking water networks. They will also impact the sizing and flow management of wastewater collection networks and the operation of downstream treatment plants.