Water waste making you insane in the brain?

The Bite:
H2-no, if you're reusing bath, kitchen, or laundry water, so consider hooking up a system that directs gently used water (called gray water) to your garden. Huge cerebrum not required.
The Benefits: 
  • Saving H2O. Gray water systems can save up to 40% of drinkable water, and if enough people install systems, we could have smaller water-purification and sewage-treatment plants.
  • Money in your bank. Hooking up a gray-water system can snag a tax rebate in some states (check with your city gov's water management department), and up your home's LEED credits to increase its value.
Personally Speaking: 
One of our dads hooked up a gray water system for his garden, but we can't say whose since it isn't exactly legal without a permit in his state.
Wanna Try: 
  • Check with your local government to find out if gray water reuse is legal in your area (you may need a permit), then call an eco-contractor. Note: You'll need to use the water only for plants you're not planning on eating and use use only eco-bath products, since gray water can seep down into groundwater reserves.
  • Aqus - instead of your garden, you can redirect sink water into your toilet bowl using this contraption ($295).
  • Great American Rain Barrel - if you're not sure about rejigging your pipes, this 60-gal recycled-plastic barrel stores rainwater ($220).
  • Greywater Guerillas - tons of info and project ideas from gray-water fanatics.
  • Safe Use of Household Greywater - tells you what water to use and what water to lose.

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