If you are a homeowner, you may have heard the term “grey water” used in reference to used sink, laundry, and shower water. But did you know you can recycle greywater and save money on your water bill?
Tips for Recycling Greywater
There are several ways you can reuse grey water with varying costs and complexities. Employ the following steps to save money in an environmentally-friendly way.
1. Get old-fashioned.
One of the most cost-effective ways to recycle your greywater is to dust off some buckets. It takes a little extra effort but using buckets to collect water after showering or bathing is a great option for watering your yard or flushing your toilet. You can do the same for sinks and washing machines. Of course, we don’t recommend drinking recycled shower water, but it won’t hurt your plants.
- Advantages: No added system costs…the price is only as expensive as your buckets.
- Disadvantages: It takes a lot more time and effort to collect and redistribute the water.
2. Install a water recycling system.
If you don’t have the time or energy to collect greywater manually, you can also invest in a water recycling system. A system like this will redirect water from your sinks or washing machine to places like your lawn. You can either hire a professional to install this, or you can perform some DIY piping work if your local laws don’t require a permit.
- Advantages: Simple to DIY, reasonably priced, and requires little maintenance once installed.
- Disadvantages: Possible permit required and only recycles as much water as pipes you install.
3. Redirect everything to the bathroom.
If you think about it, there’s really no reason to waste fresh water on a dirty job. Bathrooms are responsible for the majority of home water usage. Instead of flushing your toilet with clean water every time you go, consider recycling shower and sink water by redirecting it to the toilet. You can do this manually, or you can install a sink-to-toilet system that does the work for you. A system like this is built into your plumbing system, which increases the price tag. However, it will save you money on your water bill in the long-term.
- Advantages: Extremely efficient and cuts down on water bills.
- Disadvantages: Large upfront cost and requires regular maintenance and inspections.
Does recycling greywater affect your septic system?
Recycling greywater is a great way to ease some of the strain on your septic system. It is environmentally friendly and good for your budget. Overall, recycling greywater is a great decision for those who have the desire and ability.
Norway Septic Inc. is a service-oriented company dedicated to providing excellent septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping services to homeowners and business owners in the Michiana area. We take pride in doing the job that others leave behind. If you have further questions or if you would like to schedule a system inspection by one of our professionals, call us today.
