Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks

- Greywater showers always seemed risky to me, especially with kids. Skin stuff is no joke.
- Rainwater for toilets though? That’s just smart - no one’s touching it, so who cares if it’s not perfect.
- I’m curious, though: has anyone actually saved a noticeable amount on their water bill using rainwater for flushing? I keep hearing about the setup costs and wonder if it really pays off long-term.
- Also, what about maintenance? I don’t want to be cleaning filters every weekend...

I’m curious, though: has anyone actually saved a noticeable amount on their water bill using rainwater for flushing? I keep hearing about the setup costs and wonder if it really pays off long-term.

Honestly, in my experience, the savings aren’t as dramatic as people hope - at least not right away. The upfront cost for tanks and plumbing adds up fast, and unless you’ve got a big household or a lot of units, it takes years to break even. Maintenance isn’t terrible, but filters do need checking, especially after storms. Has anyone run into issues with city inspectors or code compliance? That’s been a headache for me more than the actual maintenance.

Had a client who tried to DIY a rainwater flush setup - let’s just say, city inspectors were not amused. Ended up having to redo half the plumbing to meet code, which cost more than the original install. I get the appeal, but unless you’re really careful with permits and backflow prevention, it can turn into a money pit. The savings are there, but they’re slow and you’ve gotta factor in the “surprise” repairs when something leaks or clogs. Not saying don’t do it, just… go in with eyes wide open.

Rainwater setups have always tempted me, mostly because my water bill creeps up every summer. But hearing about city inspectors getting involved makes me nervous. I had a neighbor who tried to run his laundry with greywater - looked simple enough at first, but then he got a notice about “unauthorized alterations.” Ended up paying a plumber anyway to fix what he’d started.

I get that the savings are slow, but I wonder how much of that is just upfront learning curve? Like, if you do it right the first time, is it really that risky? I’m handy-ish, but plumbing’s always felt like a “measure three times, still mess it up” kind of job for me.

Has anyone actually seen a real return on investment with this stuff? Or is it more of a long-term payoff, like solar panels where you’re in it for the decade? I keep seeing those DIY guides online and they make it look so easy… but I guess they never talk about code or surprise leaks.

I’m curious if the city’s new push for water-saving is gonna make any of this easier. Maybe they’ll loosen up on the permit process or offer some rebates? Otherwise, feels like you’re just rolling the dice unless you’re ready to shell out for pros.

Rainwater setups have been on my “someday” list for years, mostly because I get a little twitchy every time the water bill lands in my inbox. I finally took the plunge last spring - nothing fancy, just a couple of barrels and a basic diverter kit. Here’s what I learned (and what I wish someone had told me before I started):

- The DIY guides make it look like you’ll be sipping lemonade by your rain barrel in an afternoon. Reality: I spent two weekends cursing at downspout angles and trying to find a drill bit that wasn’t lost in the garage abyss.
- City codes are no joke. My neighbor got a “friendly” warning about his setup being too close to the property line. Turns out, there are rules about where you can put these things, how they’re covered, and even what kind of screens you use. Who knew mosquitoes had lobbyists?
- Savings? Not huge at first. My garden loves it, but it’s not like I’m retiring early on what I save watering tomatoes. Still, it feels good not to be dumping drinking water on the lawn.
- Return on investment is sloooow unless you go big (think: underground tanks, pumps, the whole nine yards). For most folks, it’s more about feeling less guilty during drought season than seeing your bill drop by half.
- Plumbing is still my nemesis. Tried to hook up a greywater system for the laundry and ended up with a “bonus” leak in the crawlspace. Called a pro, paid the price, learned my lesson. If you’re not 100% sure about code or connections, maybe stick to rain barrels for now.

I’ve heard rumors about rebates coming down the pipeline (pun intended), but nothing concrete yet. If the city actually starts helping out with permits or cash back, I might try again with something fancier. Until then, my advice: start small, expect hiccups, and keep your plumber’s number handy... just in case.

I hear you on the “it’ll be easy” DIY guides. I thought I’d just slap a barrel under the gutter and call it a day, but ended up knee-deep in city code PDFs and weird fittings from the hardware store. My setup’s about as basic as yours - two barrels, nothing fancy - but even that took more effort than I expected. Downspouts never seem to line up where you want them.

The city code stuff is wild. I got flagged for not having a fine enough mesh on my barrel lid. Apparently, mosquitoes are a bigger deal than I realized. The inspector actually gave me a brochure about “vector control,” which made me laugh and also feel slightly judged.

On savings, yeah, it’s not a game-changer for the wallet, but my tomatoes are thriving and I don’t feel as bad about watering during dry spells. It’s more of a “good citizen” thing than a money-saving hack, at least at this scale.

Greywater is where I drew the line too. Looked into it, but once I saw the diagrams and realized it involved cutting into pipes behind the drywall, I bailed. Not worth risking a flooded laundry room just to save a few bucks. Maybe if rebates ever show up or the city makes it easier, I’ll give it another shot.

For now, rain barrels are about as adventurous as I get. If anyone’s thinking about going bigger, definitely check your local rules first... and maybe invest in a decent drill bit set.

Yeah, those “just hook it up” guides never mention the part where you’re crawling around in the mud, realizing your downspout is two feet off from where you need it. I had to redo mine twice because the slope was off and water just pooled next to the house - learned that lesson quick. The city code stuff is no joke either. I got a warning about “backflow prevention” and had to look up what that even meant. Honestly, I’m with you on the greywater. Once I saw diagrams with pipes running through walls, I noped out. I’ll stick to barrels and keep my drywall intact for now.

Once I saw diagrams with pipes running through walls, I noped out. I’ll stick to barrels and keep my drywall intact for now.

Yeah, those diagrams are wild - makes you realize how much can go wrong if you miss a step. I tried mapping out a greywater loop for the laundry, but between the venting, backflow valves, and making sure nothing leaks behind the wall, it was way more than I bargained for. Barrels are a lot less stressful. If anyone does try the in-wall stuff, double-check every connection and test for leaks before closing anything up. Water damage is no joke.

I get the appeal of the fancy setups, but I’ve seen too many “hidden” leaks turn a simple project into a nightmare. Years ago, I helped a friend install a greywater system behind his bathroom wall - thought we did everything by the book. Six months later, he noticed a weird smell, and sure enough, slow drip behind the drywall had started to rot out the studs. Ended up costing him way more than he saved on water bills.

Barrels might look clunky, but at least you can see if something’s going wrong. Once you start cutting into walls and running pipes where you can’t see them, it’s a gamble unless you’re really meticulous. Not saying it can’t be done right, but unless you’re comfortable with plumbing codes and have time to pressure-test everything, barrels are just less risky. Water damage is one of those things that sneaks up on you... and it’s never cheap to fix.

You’re not wrong - hidden leaks are a nightmare. I’ve seen more than one “by the book” install go sideways because of a tiny missed fitting or a hairline crack in a joint. Once water gets behind drywall, you’re basically on borrowed time before things get expensive.

That said, I do think there’s a middle ground. If you’re set on running pipes inside walls, using access panels and leak sensors can help catch issues early. It’s not foolproof, but it beats tearing out half your bathroom to find a slow drip. Barrels are definitely easier to monitor, though, and you can’t beat the peace of mind of seeing everything out in the open.

Honestly, unless you’re super confident with plumbing and have time for regular checks, sticking with visible systems just makes life simpler. Water damage is sneaky - totally agree there. Sometimes the “ugly” solution is the smart one.

I get the appeal of keeping everything visible, but honestly, I think it’s a bit overcautious to avoid in-wall plumbing entirely. Sure, leaks are a pain - been there, done that, had to rip out a chunk of ceiling once after a slow drip went unnoticed. But if you use quality fittings and actually pressure test before closing things up, the risk drops a lot.

Access panels are a solid compromise, like you mentioned. I’ve also started using those moisture alarms - cheap insurance, really. The “ugly” exposed pipes might be easier to check, but they’re not always practical, especially in smaller spaces or if you care about resale value down the line.

I guess for me, it comes down to balancing risk with function and aesthetics. If you’re careful and do your homework, hidden systems don’t have to be a disaster waiting to happen. Just my two cents...

I hear you on the pressure testing - my mentor’s a stickler for that, and I’ve seen firsthand how much trouble it saves down the line. Still, I get a bit nervous about anything hidden, especially with these new rainwater and greywater setups. Had a buddy whose greywater line backed up and nobody noticed until the wall started smelling funky... Not fun. Do you think these alternative water systems make hidden leaks harder to spot, or is it just about being extra careful with the install?

Hidden leaks are my personal nightmare, honestly. With traditional plumbing, you at least know what to expect, but these hybrid setups - rainwater for toilets, greywater for showers - sometimes feel like you’re adding another layer of “what could go wrong?” I’ve noticed that the alternative systems often use more flexible piping and non-standard routing to fit around existing layouts, which can make it trickier to trace issues.

That said, I don’t think they’re inherently leakier or harder to spot if the install is done right. It’s just that a lot of folks (even pros) don’t have as much hands-on experience with these systems yet, so mistakes slip through. Pressure testing helps, but I’m always paranoid about spots behind walls or under floors where you can’t see anything until it’s too late... like your buddy’s stinky wall situation.

Ever tried using those moisture sensors or smart leak detectors? I’ve started putting them in places I can’t easily check - saved me a headache once when a tiny drip set off an alert before it turned into a swamp under my bathroom. Maybe overkill, but hey, better than tearing out drywall later.

I get the paranoia around hidden leaks - nobody wants a surprise mold colony. But honestly, after moving into my place last year, I found the hybrid system less stressful than I expected. Maybe I lucked out with a good installer, but tracing the lines was actually easier since the newer pipes were color-coded and mapped out. I do get what you mean about the flexible piping, though. Still, I’d rather have a little extra complexity if it means saving on water bills long-term. Haven’t tried smart leak detectors yet... I’m still at the “stick my head under the sink and squint” stage.

I get wanting to save on water, but honestly, the idea of all those extra pipes running around kind of freaks me out. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I keep picturing some slow leak hiding behind a wall. Color-coding sounds handy, though - wish my place had that instead of the mystery spaghetti I inherited. Not sure I trust smart detectors yet... feels like one more thing to break or need batteries.

I hear you on the pipe paranoia - my basement looks like a plumber’s fever dream, and I’m always half-expecting to find a puddle where it shouldn’t be. Still, I gotta admit, the water bill savings are tempting. I’ve started labeling pipes with duct tape and a Sharpie... not exactly color-coding, but at least I know which one’s the hot water now. As for smart detectors, I’m with you - if it needs an app or batteries, it’s just another thing for me to forget about until it starts beeping at 2am.

Rainwater toilets sound great until you’re crawling around in a crawlspace trying to figure out why there’s a slow drip behind the new valve... I totally get the urge to label everything - half my job is just tracing mystery pipes and hoping there’s not a surprise geyser. I’m with you on smart gadgets; last time mine chirped at 3am, it was just low batteries, not a flood. Still, I’d rather have a manual shutoff and a bucket than trust an app to save my basement. Maybe I’m old school, but sometimes simple is safer.

Had a similar moment last winter - spent half a Saturday on my belly under the house, tracing a leak that turned out to be a cracked fitting from the rainwater tank. The idea’s awesome, but when something goes sideways, it’s always in the least convenient spot. I get the appeal of smart sensors, but honestly, a shutoff valve you can reach in the dark beats an app with a dead battery every time. Sometimes low-tech just means fewer headaches.

Honestly, I’m with you on the low-tech stuff. I tried a “smart” leak detector last year - thing kept disconnecting from WiFi and chirping at 2am. Ended up just putting a manual shutoff right by the tank, and it’s saved me twice already. Curious if anyone’s found a cheap way to insulate those pipes under the house? Mine freeze every other winter, and I’m tired of crawling around with a hair dryer...

Curious if anyone’s found a cheap way to insulate those pipes under the house? Mine freeze every other winter, and I’m tired of crawling around with a hair dryer...

Been there, done that - my knees still haven’t forgiven me for last winter’s “pipe-thawing yoga.” Honestly, the best cheap fix I’ve found is those foam pipe sleeves from the hardware store. They’re not fancy, but they do the trick if you tape ‘em up tight. I also wrapped some old towels around the worst spots and duct-taped them like a mad scientist. Not pretty, but it kept things flowing.

I hear you on the “smart” gadgets too. My so-called smart thermostat once decided 3am was the perfect time to update itself and shut off the heat. Sometimes low-tech just means less drama.

If you’re feeling extra thrifty, I’ve seen folks use pool noodles split down the middle as insulation. Not exactly eco-chic, but hey, it’s recycling... sort of?