A controlled study of the effect of greywater (GW) irrigation on soil properties was conducted. Containers of
sand, loam and loess soils were planted with lettuce, and irrigated with fresh water, raw artificial GW or
treated artificial GW. Greywater was treated using a recirculating vertical-flow constructed wetland. Soil
samples were collected every 10 days for the 40-day duration of the study, and plant growth was measured.
Soils were analysed for physicochemical and biological parameters to determine changes caused by the
different treatments. It was demonstrated that raw artificial GW significantly increased the development of
hydrophobicity in the sand and loam soils, as determined by water droplet penetration time. No significant
changes were observed for the loess soil under all treatments. Observed hydrophobicity was correlated with
increased oil and grease and surfactant concentrations in the soil. Zeta (ζ) potential of the soils was
measured to determine changes in the soil particle surface properties as a result of GW irrigation. A
significant change in ζ-potential (less negative) was observed in the raw artificial GW-irrigated sand,
whereas no difference was observed in the loam or loess. Soils irrigated with fresh water or treated GW
exhibited no increase in hydrophobicity. Fecal coliform bacteria were absent or b10 CFU g−1 in soils irrigated
with fresh water or treated GW, but at least 1 order of magnitude higher in raw artificial GW irrigated soils.
Only in the last sampling event and only for the loess soil was plant growth significantly higher for fresh
water irrigated vs. raw or treated GW irrigated soils. This study demonstrates that treated GW can be
effectively irrigated without detrimental effects on soil or plant growth; however, raw GW may significantly
change soil properties that can impact the movement of water in soil and the transport of contaminants in
the vadose zone.