How to Recycle Drinking Water
Drinking water from your home can be reused to irrigate your lawn or water plants both indoors and outdoors. Gray water is the water that comes from bathtubs, showers and sinks or other water that does not contain bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that "black water" does. Gray water is best suited for recycling purposes. Many sophisticated systems can be installed in your home, but there are also a few free and easy ways to recycle gray water. Note that in some states the reuse of gray water is prohibited or a permit is required to recycle gray water. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Recycle the gray water used from your kitchen sink. Disconnect one side of the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under the sink) from your sink and then swivel the connected portion of the P-trap to the side. Place a bucket under the sink drain to collect the water you use to wash vegetables and your hands. Empty the bucket daily to avoid spilling the water.
-
2
Pour water used for cooking on your plants, not down your drain. After boiling potatoes, pasta or vegetables, let the water cool to room temperature and then use it to water potted or garden plants. The plants will benefit from the extra nutrients as well. Do not use water that you've added salt or oil to.
-
-
3
Collect the water you use to warm up your shower. Place a bucket under the spout while you are waiting for the shower to warm up to collect the gallons of normally wasted water.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Filter your gray water with a sock to trap hair and lint when possible.
Check your plants for evidence of damage from the organic components in gray water.
Do not drink gray water.
Do not use gray water for use in edible crop irrigation.
Do not use gray water if someone in your house suffers from infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, hepatitis or internal parasites.
References
Resources
Comments
-
water conservation is important.
