Saw this article about a new apartment complex in Portland that’s using rainwater to flush toilets and reusing shower water for landscaping. Apparently, it’s part of some pilot program to cut down on municipal water use. I gotta admit, part of me thinks it’s genius—why are we using perfectly clean drinking water just to flush? But then I start wondering about the logistics… like, does it actually save that much? And is it a pain to maintain?
I remember my grandma talking about her old “greywater” system back in the day (she was way ahead of her time), but she always complained about weird smells and pipes getting clogged up with soap scum. I guess tech has improved since then, but I’d be lying if I said the idea of recycled shower water didn’t make me a little squeamish.
On the other hand, with all these droughts lately, maybe we don’t have much choice but to get creative. Anyone else seen setups like this in action? Or lived with one? Curious how well they actually work day-to-day, or if it turns into just another thing to fix when you’re running late for work. Would you be cool with your building having rainwater toilets?
I’ve wondered the same thing about maintenance. Like, it sounds awesome in theory, but I keep picturing some filter getting clogged right before you have to leave for work. That said, I totally agree with this:
It’s wild when you think about it. I tried a basic rain barrel setup for my garden last year—super low-tech, but even that needed cleaning out more than I expected. I’d be into the idea if the system was reliable and didn’t need constant fiddling. The droughts are getting worse, so maybe it’s worth a little hassle. Still, I’d want to see how it holds up after a couple years before jumping in.why are we using perfectly clean drinking water just to flush?
- The idea of not wasting drinking water on toilets makes so much sense, but yeah, the maintenance part is what gets me too.
- I can barely keep my dishwasher filter from smelling funky, so a whole rainwater system? Hmm.
- Maybe it’s just one more thing to add to the “adulting” list… right after changing the HVAC filter (which I always forget).
- Still, with how dry it’s getting, I’m tempted. Just wish there was a way to know if it’ll actually save money long-term or just create new headaches.
I hear you on the maintenance. I’ve got a couple rentals with older plumbing, and even just keeping regular toilets running smooth is a chore. Rainwater systems sound great in theory, but I’d worry about clogs, weird smells, or something freezing up in winter. That said, water bills are creeping up every year, so maybe it’s worth the hassle if you’re handy or don’t mind calling a plumber now and then. Just don’t expect it to be “set it and forget it”—it’s more like adding another thing to the never-ending home to-do list.
