 |
|
BANG FOR THE BITE
It's not legal in all areas, but if 10,000 Biter households use only gray water on their gardens, we'll save enough water to fill eight small water towers.
COCKTAIL FACT
After humans, the animal with the highest brain size to body size ratio is the bottlenose dolphin.
| SAVE TO MY BITES |  |
FORWARD TO A FRIEND:
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
home › tip library › Grey Water
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.
Apr 24,2008
Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Gray’d-A Water Savings
I had the op to see the clandestine gray water system mentioned in today's Personally Speaking firsthand on Easter. The thing was pretty impressive - rigged by [Anonymous]'s dad for under $100 and a lotta elbow grease.
[Anonymous]'s mom took a shower before Easter brunch, so we watched the slightly sudsy water trickle out onto a bunch of healthy California poppies in the yard. Gray water systems: the eco-friendliest way to break the law, ever?
-Toshio...off to suds up...
Biter Comments...
Gail, would you share where you got the rain barrel for $30?
As a new resident to Colo Springs, I was planning on a rain barrel, but guess what? They're illegal here! The state figures all that runoff belongs to them...I'm also very disappointed in their recycling (or near lack of) programs.
Here are online links to 3 stories about http://www.aquabarrel.com in Washington DC:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/22/AR200804
2202473.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/22/AR200804
2202472.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/22/AR200804
2202479.html
http://www.aquabarrel.com ofers a variety of unique products for folks interested in rain water capture or redirection. You will find rain barrel kits, downspout filters, first flush water diverters, downspout diverters, mosquito control products, flexible landscape pipe and much much more......
http://www.carwashnowater.com offers a great product to wash your car without water. Without scratching. Without hard work. Without working hard.
I am coming around a bit on the carbon foot print, but some of these gray water things are a bit extreme. You may have to go a bit slower with some of us that really really like our toilets.
Oh no the Washington Post links are not working, however the aqquabarrel link is.
You've got to be kidding?! Who would buy a rainbarrel for $220? And what makes it better than the ones we can get for $40 from our local eco-organization? Or the ones you can make yourself for a 55-gallon drum ($10 plus materials?) Puh-lease! I agree with Gail. If eco-friendly items are priced out of range, people of moderate means (which is most of us) won't use them.
Not that can afford to or would if I could, the $200.00 barrel looks so much nicer. I know it is for the most part the same things. The person that is going to buy the more expensive one is no really concerned with being eco-friendly, just appearing to be, you know like getting a LV purse.
The following are great Rain Barrel sources.
http://www.somedaygardens.com/
www.mmsd.com/
http://www.rainfordane.org/
online discount coupons are avaliable from this site.
http://www.deals365.us
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Gail Epping Overholt | April 24, 2008 at 07:22 AM