I was wondering if any one here knew anything about grew water reuse. I'm trying to convinve my parents to get one of these systems, but im wondering if anybody knew anything bad or good about them.
i would say google it.. but if your talking about watering your lawn ... it requires filtering equipment and additional pumps and tanks and re plumbing ..you will have to spend money to do it.... would be easier to reduce your water consumption as much as possible ....its free or low cost if you buy water saving devises....
I know of a town in eastern Colorado (on aquifer water rather than a river/ lake/ reservoir) that has considered this in the past, and lots of communities have a "double piped" system for at least the parks. Where you live can impact what you can do. For example, if your parents' home is in a homeowners association, a full reuse system has a minute chance of passing (and can also be considered "stealing water" if the right is not "to extinction.") But almost anywhere some capturing can be done. A low tech way is to water plants with dish water (use an eco-friendly, low -no phosphate dish detergent, or a true soap) or bailed bathwater. I have seen people with window unit air conditioners plant nice gardens in the drip line, or simply collect that condensation. It takes work, money or both, and you have to get permits for re-plumbing for a reuse system. You'll need to know your local water law, as well.
There is a guy out in my neck of the woods that bought an old farm tank from a sale at an old dairy, runs his sink water, tub water and washer water into this tank and from thier he has a set of pipes that run water out to assorted trees. He also uses a compost toilet (tougher than I am) that he made and he is proud of the results. He is off grid, uses solar, wind and batteries for his limited electrical needs. He raises worms, vegi's, fruit, and small animals. Its kinda neat and all but you work for lack of convience but he is willing so yupper.
Check in your area, I tried to use grey water from my washer to help irrigate my yard and I got reported by my neighbor to the local board.
Ignorance blocks progress to a solution yet again. Its okay to wash your car out on the lawn but soapy water from your washer is a hazard??
The obvious problem with such approaches, is that often water is cheap and abundant, and the schemes for "conserving" water complicated or expensive. Consider the initial "investment" of having to run another whole series of water pipes and tanks? In such a case, it might simply be easier, to just use less. For example, although I spent extra for a real metal lawn sprinkler, because plastic breaks and I don't have time for junk that breaks, I rarely use it, because why water the grass? Watering it only makes it grow the more, then I have to mow it more often. Let nature water it, and I only water my flowers. Usually it rains enough for the grass to get by without my "help." Check out this website: http://www.mallarky.com/past_columns.asp I used to read this guy's articles some time ago, and his witty wisdom is nearly hilarious. Do a Find on the words "water" or "toilet" or whatever, and see what he says about water "conservation." I recall reading about how he was against adding water meters, at least where he lives where they probably have plenty of water anyway. He claims that the infrastructure needed to supply the water, costs more than the water. So if supposedly water meters encourage water conservation, actually they just run up the cost of the water. Because then, they have to hire a fleet of water meter readers, and supply them with trucks, and so that adds to costs and reduces efficiency. Amazing. And when I rented an apartment in the past, we never had (individual unit) water meters. Water was just "included" in the rent. As how much water can a person or two in a dinky little 500 square foot apartment, be expected to use anyway? It's not like I am going to water the landlord's grass? And did "free" water make me just want to waste a bunch of water, and take a nice hot bath 3 times a day? No, because I still had to pay for the electricity to heat the water, and then, my time is worth far more than the electricity anyway. I have lots of other things to do, than to use water, nor to wash my car. I gave up washing my car long time ago. I just don't have time anyway, and the parts inside wear out faster than the outside anyway. Besides, surely the rain can be useful for something?
Yeah, they perhaps incorrectly? consider it to be an incorrect plumbing installation. But how else does one connect a drain of a basement sink, when the sewer drain line is way up high? Why can't a little water from a little ol' sink, rarely used, or from a basement dehumidifier, simply go out into the ground outside? Water doesn't generally flow up so easily. I think I will connect mine to flow way around to the sump pump, which does pump into the drain lines. BTW, is all that laundry soap, good for your lawn? Isn't that stuff, in the quantities expected, in need of some level of treatment? But I don't see why natural biodegradable sewage (including toilet paper but not "trash") from boats or ships, can't be dumped naturally, what? 3 miles? out from shore in the ocean. Where do we think that the whales and dolphins go? Surely they don't use toilets?
