Saving Water Tips
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
March 6, 2007 1:27am CST
As I live in a drought area, and we have level 3 water rationing in place, I thought some people would appreciate a few tips. This saves money on your water bill too.
1. Recycle grey water from your washing machine.
You need a tub next to your machine for this to work. If your washer has a recycle sytem on it, you are set up to go. if not, it's easy to do. Monitor your washing. Have the outlet hose going into the tub. When you get near the rinse cycle, the water will go into the tub. Or you can save the wash water from earlier, where there will be remaining suds. After your cycle is complete, suck the water back in. All yiou have to do, is turn your machine on to spin.The spiining action causes the water to suck back up.
You have saved water and some soap suds. Your next load will just need a little more water and washing powder added.
2.Use the "grey water" from washing machines to water your garden. A special hose can be bought for this,but there are few rules:
-Only use rinse water for your garden
-Disperse the rinse water through dripper hoses under mulch. This reduces the health risk.
-Don't let grey water run off your property, especially into water ways
-Don't use untreated grey water on vegetables
-Wash your hands after using grey water, and don't let children play with grey water
-Move the hose regularly, to avoid the build up of salt in the soil
4 people like this
5 responses
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Mar 07
I use a dual flush toilet, so don't need a brick. But it's a good idea otherwisde. People don't realise how water they are using with flushes!!
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
6 Mar 07
We have used grey water alot, also fromt he washing the dishes. Just dipped and put into gallon jugs that were just for the greywater. We also would dip from the bath tub after a shower. Barring all else we could get water from out creek that has not gone dry yet. Being on a well we use lightly if possible. Also catching rainwater is a love of mine for I benefit by rinsing my hair with it. Also use it for houseplants.
Thanks for sharing this. Our California friends often have drought problems.
2 people like this
@baronarthur (4187)
• Indonesia
6 Mar 07
That's a good tips. I don't need the tips today in my life. But, I think many people will need it someday. Because the water is going more bad and bad from day to day. I'll remember your tips and use it when I need it. Thanks for the tips.
2 people like this
@eventualist (819)
• Canada
6 Mar 07
We used to live at a house with just a dug well, so we didn't have much water. What we did was set out rain barrels where our rain came off the roof and saved that for watering the plants with.
Our water was so bad though, that we couldn't drink ours, so we had to have bottled water.
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
6 Mar 07
Thanks for that. My boyfiend's grandfather was telling us to use grey water to water our tomato plants with and that he's been doing it forever and the plants love it.
I had my doubts though,as I didn't think chemicals in the washing powder would be any good for vegies and plants.
I save the rinse water though and use that to water my lawn.
I also put a bucket in the shower and by the time my BF and I have both had our showers, the bucket is full. I also use this on my garden. It's amazing how much water goes down the drain. Literally.
