Flush Your Toilet With Recycled Gray Water

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Doug Gunzelmann in Home+Decor

Gray water is waste water that has the potential for reuse. To be considered gray water, or sullage, their must be no human/organic waste (feces) or toxic chemicals. Such sources would include water from normal sink use and shower/bathtub use, or at times used wash water from clothes or dish washing units. This partially used water can be recycled for irrigation or used to flush toilets. Gray water is not potable and there are varying degrees of purity (dark gray to “black water” being most heavily used). With partial filtration, or even with no treatment, gray water can be a valuable and reusable resource.

Saniflo makes gray water pumps that are compact and adapted for domestic use. Gray water from household activity is pumped and stored into the Saniflo tank where it can be called upon later to flush a toilet or sent to the garden for irrigation. The addition of a gray water pump system to your home means lowering the demand put on water treatment and sewage treatment plants. Potable water isn’t necessary for many of our needs. Currently, the laws around gray water for domestic irrigation are comparable to those regarding septic tank use. There is headway in legislation towards the recognition of the importance and value of gray water systems however.

Tags:

gray water, saniflo

10 Responses to “ Flush Your Toilet With Recycled Gray Water ”

Tracy

10. Jul, 2008

I love the concept! It’s a shame some much water is going to waste when in other parts of the world people don’t get enough to drink.

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michael

11. Aug, 2008

You should also check out http://www.waterlegacy.com for a whole home system.

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hrm caesar st. augustine de buonaparte

01. Sep, 2008

back in 1984 I was approached by US Dept. of Commerce & 4 about a
year letters & blueprints traveled back & forth in regards to ideas on
the grey water systems I had provided to them,in the end they rejected them as to costly in the amount of time the systems pay for themselves.I knew they were stupid then as much as they are stupid NOW!. I did learn though, that’s how they get new ideas from people for free, to me it’s a form of stealing,since I also told them that for decades the US builds their 2 story houses backwards in regards to saving water & electricity, but for the life of an Emperor, President, and inventor, I guess it’s expected to have this kind of luck in a world of idiots, the groovy thing is that I don’t have to prove it, it’s proven every day by the very same people who point fingers at me & laugh, snicker, & criticise such a shame to be living & witnessing hindsight materialize right before my eyes AS TIME GOES BY. but if anyone wants to start a revolution that has many disguises & gray water it a big one because of the huge number of people that would be laid off if everyone started using the system, the earth benefits & people have to practice better future insight to protect their chosen professions. so if you need to contact me just call it’s easier for me then E MAIL, (818) 888-5116 also vote for me.

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Greywater Guy

14. Nov, 2008

Build your own DIY Greywater Recycling System for $350 and save over 30% on your monthly water bill. Details at http://www.grey-is-green.com.

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Joe

10. Feb, 2009

doesnt matter what water is wasted if others cant find enough to drink. you cant exactly send the water there. this is for simply doing your part to conserve your water usage, save a few dollars for yourself and help cities cut thier costs for haivng to treat your water and waste

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Matt Embrey

12. Feb, 2009

@Joe

you forgot: reduce the amount of energy spent to deliver, recover and treat water.

You are right that grey water systems in areas where there is no shortage of potable water will not help quench global thirst but it is still a responsible and sustainable way to more efficiently use our resources and reduce water and energy consumption.

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someone

24. Mar, 2009

yo wasssupp waterr nerrdzz

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