"Maybe try diverting greywater just from showers or sinks first rather than jumping straight into laundry—less detergent drama that way."
That's a solid point. We started with shower water diversion at our place, and honestly, it was a smoother transition than I expected. But I'm still hesitant about rainwater harvesting indoors—does anyone have experience with water quality issues or extra filtration needed for drinking purposes? Seems like a bigger leap in terms of safety and regulations...
We did rainwater harvesting at my brother's cabin a couple years back, and honestly, the filtration setup was more involved than we initially thought. First off, we had to install a pre-filter to catch debris from the roof—leaves, twigs, bird droppings, you name it. Then came the sediment filter, followed by activated carbon to handle odors and tastes. Finally, we added a UV sterilizer to kill off bacteria and pathogens. It wasn't cheap or simple, but it gave us peace of mind.
One thing I'd caution about is regular maintenance. Filters clog faster than you'd think, especially after storms or heavy pollen seasons. We ended up setting reminders every few months to check and replace filters. Also, make sure your storage tank is sealed tight—mosquitoes love standing water, and you definitely don't want them breeding in your drinking supply.
Overall, rainwater harvesting indoors can work great, but it's definitely a step up in complexity compared to greywater systems. Just be prepared for the extra upkeep and initial investment.
We went the greywater route at our rental duplex, and honestly, it's been way less hassle. Just basic filtration, no UV lights or anything fancy. Rainwater sounds great for drinking, but for toilets and landscaping...greywater is plenty good and simpler to manage.
Yeah, greywater setups are definitely simpler—I've done both, and rainwater tanks can turn into a surprising money pit (filters, pumps, maintenance...). Honestly, if you're mostly flushing toilets or watering plants, greywater's the practical winner in my book.
- Interesting points for sure. I've mostly dealt with rainwater tanks myself, and yeah... the costs can sneak up on you fast. But I wouldn't write them off completely:
- Had a tenant once who was big into gardening—she swore her plants grew better on rainwater versus greywater. Not sure if that's scientifically legit, but her tomatoes did taste amazing, so who knows?
- Also, curious about the longevity of greywater systems. Have you run into clogging or buildup issues over time? I'd assume hair and soap residue could be a thing.
- Totally get your point on simplicity though. Greywater feels like a "set it and forget it" kinda deal compared to rainwater harvesting, which can feel like babysitting a needy pet at times.
- Maybe the sweet spot is doing both small-scale? Like, greywater for toilets and basic landscaping, rain barrels for veggies or herbs. Just thinking out loud here...
