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

Man, I hear you on the DIY greywater disasters. People always underestimate how sneaky those leaks can be - by the time you smell something off, it’s already a mess under the floor. I’ve seen folks try to “innovate” with homemade setups, and nine times out of ten, it ends up costing more in repairs than any water savings.

I get why those all-in-one units are tempting, but even then, I’m a bit skeptical. Just because something’s factory-made doesn’t mean it’s bulletproof, especially if it’s not installed right or maintained. And the code enforcement around water stuff is wild - some places treat a rain barrel like you’re running a moonshine still.

Honestly, I’d rather see people focus on what actually works long-term. Low-flow fixtures are boring but reliable. If you really want to get fancy, maybe look at leak detection sensors or shutoff valves. Not glamorous, but they’ll save your bacon if something goes sideways. Water-saving’s great, but not at the expense of your subfloor or sanity.

Yeah, totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen what happens when someone tries to “improve” their plumbing with a few buckets and some PVC from the hardware store… usually ends up with a soggy mess and a bill from a pro. Low-flow stuff isn’t flashy, but it just works. Leak sensors are underrated, honestly - caught a pinhole drip in my own place before it got ugly. Sometimes boring is best, especially with water.

Had a customer try to rig up a rain barrel to flush their toilet once - looked clever on paper, but the pressure was all wrong and it kept backing up. Ended up redoing the whole thing with proper valves. Sometimes the “boring” way really is the safest bet.

Sometimes the “boring” way really is the safest bet.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen a few DIY setups that looked genius on YouTube, but when you actually try to use them day-to-day, it’s a different story. Did you ever try to troubleshoot the pressure issue before swapping in the valves? I’m always curious if there’s a way to make those gravity-fed systems work without getting too complicated (or risking a mess).

I do wonder about the long-term maintenance on these rainwater toilets. Like, what happens if you get a dry spell and the barrel runs low? Or if debris gets into the system - does it just clog everything up? I’m all for saving water, but sometimes I feel like the “simple” solution ends up being more reliable, even if it’s not as flashy.

Anyone else ever have a greywater setup go sideways? I’ve heard some wild stories about shower drains backing up into places they definitely shouldn’t...

Had a client once who tried to set up a rain barrel toilet flush - looked great on paper, but after the first big storm, the filter clogged with leaves and the whole thing turned into a backyard fountain. Ended up with more water outside than in. Gravity-fed systems are cool until you realize gravity doesn’t care about your plumbing plans. Ever notice how “maintenance-free” setups always seem to need the most attention? Curious if anyone’s managed to keep one running smooth for more than a season...

Ever notice how “maintenance-free” setups always seem to need the most attention?

Yeah, “maintenance-free” is usually code for “good luck.” I’ve installed a handful of rainwater flush systems, and honestly, the filters are always the weak point. Even with gutter guards, fine debris gets through and clogs things up. Gravity’s great until you get airlocks or backflow - then it’s just a mess. Best luck I’ve seen is with oversized first-flush diverters and easy-access filters, but even then, you’re out there cleaning after every storm.

You nailed it - those “maintenance-free” claims are usually just marketing. I’ve seen more than a few setups where the so-called easy-clean filters end up being the biggest headache. Still, you’re right about oversized diverters and accessible filters making things a bit less painful. Just gotta keep an eye on things, especially after heavy rain. Better to catch a clog early than deal with a flooded basement or worse.

Yeah, those “maintenance-free” setups are a bit of a myth. I’ve tried a few “self-cleaning” filters and ended up spending more time unclogging them than if I’d just stuck with the basic mesh. Oversized diverters help, but nothing beats just popping the lid and checking after a storm. It’s not glamorous, but it saves you from a nasty surprise later.

Yeah, I hear you on the “maintenance-free” claims. In my experience, anything with moving parts or fancy promises just means more stuff to break or gunk up. I’ve seen some setups where folks thought they could just set it and forget it, but a couple months later, they’re knee-deep in sludge. Honestly, a quick check after a big rain is way less hassle than dealing with a backup down the line. Sometimes simple really is better... even if it’s not as shiny.

Yeah, that's the thing with “maintenance-free” - it usually means “out of sight, out of mind” until something clogs. I’ve seen rainwater toilet systems where the filters get jammed with just a bit of roof debris, and then you’re looking at a whole afternoon of cleaning pipes. I always tell folks, just check the diverter and the tank strainer after heavy rain, even if it’s a hassle. Curious if anyone’s tried different filter types? I’ve seen mesh screens work better than foam, but both need regular rinsing...

Honestly, “maintenance-free” is just code for “surprise, you’ve got a project this weekend.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been called out for a “quick fix” that turned into a full-on pipe wrestling match because of a clogged filter. Mesh screens do seem to hold up better than foam, but yeah, nothing’s truly set-and-forget. I always tell folks: if you don’t want to spend your Saturday with a shop vac and a flashlight, a little check after each storm goes a long way. At least you’ll have a good story for the next BBQ…

I hear you on the “maintenance-free” claims - never really bought into that myself. Even with the best mesh screens, stuff finds a way to sneak through, especially after a heavy downpour. I’m curious, though: has anyone tried those self-cleaning filter setups? I’ve seen them advertised, but I’m skeptical they’d hold up in real-world conditions, especially with all the debris we get around here. Seems like it’d just be a different kind of headache down the line...

You nailed it - “maintenance-free” is usually just marketing speak. I installed a self-cleaning filter on my rainwater system last spring, and honestly, it’s not quite the magic fix they promise. Here’s what I noticed: the rotating brushes do help with finer debris, but after a couple of storms, I still had to open it up and clear out some gunk. If your area gets a lot of leaves or pine needles, you’ll probably be doing some hands-on work regardless. Still, it’s less frequent than with basic mesh screens. Maybe not headache-free, but definitely headache-reduced... if that counts for anything.

- “Maintenance-free” is definitely a stretch - totally agree there. I’ve got a rainwater diverter with a so-called “self-cleaning” vortex filter, and it’s more like “self-slowing-down-the-junk” than actually cleaning itself.

- Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- After heavy winds, the filter gets jammed with maple seeds. Those little helicopters are relentless.
- Pine needles? Forget it. They wedge themselves in every crevice. I’m out there with a chopstick poking them loose more often than I’d like to admit.
- The rotating brushes are decent for silt and small stuff, but anything bigger still needs manual clearing.

- On the plus side, I don’t have to clean it every week like I did with the old mesh screens. Maybe once a month now, unless there’s a big storm.

- If you’re using rainwater for toilets or showers, I’d still recommend a pre-filter basket at the downspout. It’s not glamorous, but it saves a lot of headaches downstream (pun intended).

- Bottom line: “Headache-reduced” is about right. Not magic, but not a total pain either... unless you count the time I found a frog living in the filter.

“unless you count the time I found a frog living in the filter.”

That’s hilarious, but also kind of my nightmare. Have you had any issues with stuff actually getting into your storage tank? I keep worrying about bacteria or critters making it past the filters, especially if you’re using the water for showers. Do you do any extra treatment, like UV or chlorine, or is that overkill? I’m all for saving water, but I get a little paranoid about what’s lurking in those pipes...

I keep worrying about bacteria or critters making it past the filters, especially if you’re using the water for showers.

Honestly, that’s a legit concern. I’ve seen all sorts of stuff get into tanks - frogs, bugs, even the odd mouse if you’re not careful with your screens. For showers, I’d say a UV system isn’t overkill at all. Chlorine’s fine, but it can be a pain to manage. If you’re using rainwater for anything you actually touch, an extra treatment step is just smart, not paranoid. Better safe than sorry... trust me, you don’t want to find out the hard way what’s living in there.

Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. We set up a rainwater system last year to save on bills, and I was pretty surprised by what ended up in the first flush - dead beetles, leaves, even a tiny lizard once. I went with a UV filter for showers after that. It wasn’t cheap, but honestly, I’d rather not risk it. Chlorine’s cheaper but I found it annoying to keep balanced, and it made the water smell weird. If you’re on a budget, maybe just stick to rainwater for toilets and laundry? That’s what we did at first.

- You’re not wrong about what ends up in that first flush. I had a frog once - nearly jumped out of my skin.
- UV filters are solid, but yeah, the upfront cost stings. I’ve wondered if it’s overkill for anything but showers or kitchen use.
- Chlorine’s a pain, and my partner hated the smell too.
- Using rainwater just for toilets and laundry is a smart compromise. It’s what we landed on after a few “surprises.”
- Honestly, it’s impressive you’re sticking with it. Most folks give up after the first round of critters.

- First flush surprises are no joke - found a salamander once, and that was enough wildlife for me.
- UV filters do a great job, but honestly, unless you’re drinking the water or using it for food prep, they’re probably overkill. For toilets and laundry, a good mesh filter and regular tank cleaning go a long way.
- Chlorine’s effective but yeah, the smell lingers. I’ve had folks complain it makes their towels smell like a pool.
- Rainwater for toilets/laundry is a solid middle ground. Less maintenance, fewer critters, and you still save a ton of water.
- Sticking with it gets easier once you figure out your filter routine... and stop naming the frogs.

I’ve been using rainwater for the toilets and laundry for a year now, and honestly, mesh filters have been enough. UV always felt like overkill to me too. Has anyone tried cartridge filters instead of mesh? Wondering if that’s worth the extra cost long term.