Good points about the mosquito issue, but isn't that more about maintenance than the system itself? I've had greywater setups for years, and honestly, mosquitoes haven't been much of a problem—though I admit, I've spent my fair share of weekends chasing down leaks and puddles. Maybe I'm just lucky...or unlucky, depending on how you look at it.
But here's something else to think about: what about the upfront costs and complexity? Rainwater harvesting can be pretty straightforward—gutters, barrels, done. Greywater systems, though, can get complicated fast. Ever had tenants who accidentally flushed something weird down the drain? Trust me, fishing out mystery clogs from a greywater filter isn't exactly my idea of a relaxing Saturday afternoon.
And biodegradable soaps...yeah, they're not all created equal. But isn't that true for pretty much anything labeled "eco-friendly"? Always gotta read the fine print. Still, even with the occasional hiccup, I'd say both systems beat doing nothing at all.
- Totally agree on the biodegradable soap thing—learned that lesson the hard way. Bought some fancy "eco-friendly" stuff once, and my plants looked like they'd been through a drought. Switched brands, and suddenly everything perked right back up. Go figure.
- As for complexity, you're spot on. I installed a greywater system thinking it'd be a weekend project...ha. Two weeks later, I was still elbow-deep in PVC glue and filter screens. Rain barrels were definitely easier—just set 'em up and let gravity do its thing.
- But here's my greywater horror story: had family staying over, and someone (still don't know who) dumped bacon grease down the kitchen sink. Spent hours cleaning out the greasy mess from the filter. Not exactly my idea of fun.
- Still, even with the occasional greasy surprise, I'd say greywater's worth the hassle. My water bill dropped noticeably, and the garden's never looked better. Just gotta keep an eye on those houseguests...
Yeah, bacon grease down the sink is a nightmare waiting to happen...I've been there. Honestly, that's why I stuck with rain barrels—less chance for surprises and fewer moving parts. Maybe someday I'll brave greywater, but for now, simplicity wins.
Rain barrels are definitely the simpler route, I'll give you that. But have you thought about how much water you're actually saving compared to greywater systems? I mean, rain's great and all...until you hit a dry spell. Greywater's trickier for sure—I've seen some questionable DIY setups—but done right, it can really pay off. Maybe start small, like just laundry water first? At least there's no bacon grease in there (hopefully).
You're spot on about laundry water being the easiest place to start—definitely less risky than kitchen or shower water. If anyone's thinking about it, I'd recommend installing a simple diverter valve on your washer drain line first. That way, you can switch between greywater and sewer easily if something goes wrong (trust me, things happen...). Also, don't forget a basic filter or screen setup to catch lint and fibers—keeps your pipes clear and your plants happier.
