Recycling water for landscaping is a great way to cut down your use of this precious resource. "Graywater," or waste water from your laundry, bathing, dishwashing, and bathroom and kitchen sinks, makes up about half or more of the residential water that goes down the drain (water used to flush the toilet is not included). Graywater can be safely recycled and reused in your home gardening or in landscaping, and is relatively inexpensive if you do it yourself. Alternatively, you can have a graywater collection system installed in your home, which can cost at least a few thousand dollars and the laws differ from state to state. Over all, recycling water will not only make an long term impact on our environment but also on your water bill Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Collect the water from a leaky faucet until you can repair it. Place a bucket underneath and be sure to keep up with it. Do the same with your leaky shower, bath, kitchen sink, or even with the built up condensation dripping from your air conditioner. You can also place a bucket in the shower to collect the cold water as you wait for it to warm up. Recycle laundry water by hooking your washing machine's drainage hose to a large drum in your backyard. If you have a double sink in your kitchen, you can have a pipe leading from one side into a water collection bucket underneath.
2. Be wary of harmful chemicals. Water that was used to rinse meat could be contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, or other harmful bacteria that would transfer to your garden. Avoid also any rinse water that may contain bleach, bath salts, grease or oil, and thinners or solvents. When used in landscaping or in gardening (particularly anything edible), these chemicals can be potentially hazardous to you and the environment.
3. Collect rainwater. Though it is not technically graywater, it is a great source to derive recycled water to reuse. Store it in a large tank or storage cistern, each of which can be found at your local home store or gardening store. Plastic barrels are sold specifically for this use, and can cost anywhere from $50 to $250. Keep the tank in an optimal location to collect water, like near a roof slant or underneath gutters and downspouts. Keep it covered with a mesh screen to prevent mosquitos or other debris from getting into the water.
4. Avoid using graywater on vegetables or food products.
Tags: bucket underneath, from your, into water, water from, water that, your home