How Can I Use Rainwater?
Indoor Non-Drinkable:
Next to outdoor uses, toilet flushing and laundering represent about 20-40% of water usage totaling 50,000 gallons annually for a family of four. This water needs to meet certain water quality standards as outlined by the State of Georgia. The recently updated standards require fine filtration and disinfection with UV light or chlorine for uses inside the home.
The best time to install rainwater plumbing specifically for toilet flushing and laundry is when a home is being built or majorly remodeled since separate water lines are required. However, in some isolated cases this may be able to be done on a limited basis in existing homes as a retrofit.
Estimating the Costs and Benefits
ECOVIE can estimate the costs and benefits of using rainwater indoors. Typically, we will consider indoor applications after looking at outdoor water demands. NOTE: This type of project can be attractive financially since usage is year round and indoor usage does not fall under any type of usage restriction.
Using Graywater for Further Water Usage Reduction
Another alternative to consider when looking for ways to conserve your water usage is the capture and reuse of water from showers and laundry (graywater) for outdoor irrigation and indoor non-potable uses (toilets and laundry). The Georgia Plumbing Code now allows this practice and gives standards for its use.
ECOVIE will be delighted to install a graywater system to further increase your water self-sufficiency and cost savings.
OK, so rainwater and graywater make sense for indoor no-potable uses. Check out the next section to find out how rainwater harvesting can be better than city water for indoor potable uses!