the practice of using water treated to energy-intensive potable standards for flushing toilets, washing clothes, and landscape maintenance is quickly becoming obsolete. More and more, Californians are turning to rainwater and graywater to address these water needs. In some cases, people are going even further by filtering their rainwater to potable standards of use, and using it for all their water needs. You can join the growing numbers of those making smart choices about water use.
Based on this chart from the American Water Works Association, utilizing rainwater at home for nonpotable purposes (landscaping, toilets, laundry) can reduce your potable water use by 76%. Using it for potable sources as well? That makes you 100% self-sufficient, without depending on city or groundwater supplies.
Efficiency First!
It’s true! You will save more water and money by reducing waste, leaks, and inefficiencies in your current plumbing system and fixtures, indoor and out, than by adding a rainwater harvesting system. The Pacific Institute’s 2003 report “Waste Not, Want Not” estimated that the potential residential water savings from those sources could total as much as 40%. Efficiency is cool!
Even if you are collecting rainwater and reusing graywater, you’ll still want to become as efficient as possible in order to take the best advantage of your water reuse systems. Many municipal utilities now offer free home water-use surveys and free efficiency gizmos, as well as sizeable rebates for high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers, low flow devices and water efficient irrigation systems.
