"Also, about the storage tanks getting funky...I've seen some setups that skip storage altogether and route greywater straight into subsurface irrigation."
This is exactly what I've been leaning towards myself. Storage tanks sound like a hassle waiting to happen—maintenance, smells, and potential leaks. I mean, I'm all for sustainability, but not at the expense of my sanity or wallet. Direct subsurface irrigation seems way simpler: no standing water means fewer headaches overall.
On the incremental vs. full setup thing, though...I'm not so sure. I get your point about potentially having to redo plumbing later if you start small, but from a budget perspective, it's tough to justify investing in a full-scale system right off the bat without knowing how well it'll work for my setup. I've heard mixed reviews from neighbors who've tried greywater systems—some swear by it, others ended up regretting the upfront costs because their water savings weren't as significant as expected.
Honestly, I'm still weighing whether the long-term savings are really worth the initial investment. Have you come across any solid numbers or case studies showing clear cost-benefit breakdowns? I'd be curious to see actual data rather than just anecdotal evidence.
And yeah, labeling fixtures clearly is a must—your friend's bleach incident sounds like a nightmare scenario I'd definitely want to avoid...
I've been down the rabbit hole on this one too. A neighbor of mine skipped the storage tank and went straight to subsurface irrigation—he swears it's the best decision he's made (though he also swears pineapple belongs on pizza, so take that as you will...). But seriously, he hasn't had any issues with smells or leaks, and his garden looks pretty happy. Still, I'm with you on wanting some solid numbers before diving in wallet-first.
I've installed a few subsurface irrigation setups myself, and honestly, your neighbor might be onto something (pineapple pizza aside...). From my experience, skipping the storage tank can simplify things quite a bit—less maintenance, fewer moving parts to worry about. Just make sure your soil drainage is decent and you pick quality drip lines. If you're still crunching numbers, maybe start small with a test patch? Could give you some peace of mind before committing fully.
"From my experience, skipping the storage tank can simplify things quite a bit—less maintenance, fewer moving parts to worry about."
Totally agree with you on this one! I remember when I first got into sustainable plumbing, I was convinced I needed every bell and whistle out there. Ended up installing this massive rainwater tank in my backyard thinking I'd save buckets (pun intended) on water bills. Well... turns out maintaining that thing was a part-time job. Between algae growth, filter replacements, and constantly checking for leaks, it felt like I adopted another pet—minus the cuddles.
Eventually, after chatting with a buddy who'd gone tankless from the start, I decided to simplify things. Switched over to a direct drip setup for my veggie garden beds—no storage tank involved—and honestly haven't looked back since. Less hassle, fewer headaches, and more weekends spent actually enjoying the garden instead of troubleshooting plumbing issues.
Your advice about starting small with a test patch is spot-on too. Wish someone had suggested that to me before I jumped headfirst into the deep end (literally). A little trial run can save so much stress down the line.
As for your neighbor's pineapple pizza situation though... can't help you there. Some mysteries just can't be solved.
"Between algae growth, filter replacements, and constantly checking for leaks, it felt like I adopted another pet—minus the cuddles."
Haha, that's exactly why I've been hesitant about installing a big rainwater tank myself. I've seen plenty of setups where people end up spending more time and money on maintenance than they ever save on water bills. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for sustainable solutions, but it has to make sense practically too.
A friend of mine went the opposite route and installed a greywater recycling system instead. Basically, it just reroutes water from the washing machine and showers directly into the garden. Pretty straightforward setup, nothing too fancy, and it works surprisingly well. He says the plants love it, and maintenance is minimal—just occasional checks to make sure everything's flowing properly and no clogs from lint or hair. Definitely seems like a simpler solution compared to dealing with algae blooms and tank leaks.
Still, I think tanks can work if they're sized appropriately. Maybe the real issue is going too big too soon? A smaller tank might not have as many problems with algae buildup, and maintenance could be a lot more manageable. Plus, if you're in an area with regular rainfall, you probably don't need massive storage anyway. I guess it depends on your climate and water usage habits.
And yeah, the pineapple pizza thing... some debates just aren't meant to be settled.
