Does anybody else think it is crazy that drinking water is used to flush our toilets and water our grass? With water conservation becoming an area of interest for both federal and state governments, it is no surprise that innovation in water management is right around the corner. Greywater is the term used for water that is recycled after use in the shower, washing machine or sink. Greywater is filtered after first use, then redirected to water backyard plants, trees or lawns. As water usage becomes metered and prices continue to rise, the financial benefits of a greywater system start to make more sense as well. It is estimated that a family of four living in a 2500 square foot house on a quarter of an acre can cut their water needs in half by deploying a household greywater system.
There are many different types of greywater systems and strategies. Systems are now being offered that allow for the collection and storage of rainwater. Collected rainwater can then be used for flushing the toilet, the largest consumer of water in the household. This strategy not only saves the usage of tap water, which is costly to make, but it also reduces the amount of storm water runoff in our communities. Probably the simplest greywater system is the toilet lid sink product. This system is made to replace the existing lid on your toilet tank. The replacement lid is shaped as an aesthetic sink with chrome faucet that works with the fresh water line used to fill the toilet tank. The toilet lid sink redirects the fresh tap water through the chrome faucet for hand washing before draining and filling the toilet tank. This water is then reused the next time the toilet is flushed.
In July of 2009, the state of California changed the building code to speed up the adoption of greywater system usage for residences and new construction. For simple greywater systems used in a single application, such as the shower, a permit may not even be required by the state. Developers looking to green their communities are finding that a smart greywater infrastructure is leading to both an increase in community goodwill and a decrease in annual water costs. It is evident that greywater design will be incorporated into new building developments across the country. Furthermore, builders will realize that greywater management is yet one more way to differentiate a community in an already competitive housing market. With state demand for water spiking, and the amount of water limited, it seems that better water management is only logical.
Commercial businesses are also warming to the trend. Large industrial buildings are starting to deploy greywater strategies that repurpose the water used in HVAC cooling towers. Because the commercial and industrial demands for water are so great, greywater systems can make a dramatic improvement in the amount of water used.
Clearly, water management and water responsibility will provide a future for our communities. Please consider the way that water is used in your household, and if inclined, explore ways to manage your water resources more effectively. I know my plants are thirsty, so I am headed to the shower right now!
