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

Yeah, I hear you on the “swamp thing” smell - my first attempt at a DIY greywater system was basically a science experiment gone wrong. These newer setups are way less fussy, though. I swap my filter every couple months and that’s about it. The savings on my water bill are actually better than I expected, and it’s kind of wild how much less guilt I feel flushing now.

The city incentives thing is a joke, honestly. I only found out because my neighbor mentioned it in passing - no flyers, no emails, nothing. You’d think they’d want more folks on board if they’re serious about conservation. Maybe they’re worried everyone will want rebates at once and crash the system... who knows.

Maintenance isn’t bad, but you do have to pay attention. Skip a filter change and your nose will remind you real quick. Still beats wasting all that water just to send it down the pipes.

Skip a filter change and your nose will remind you real quick.

That’s the truth. I got a little lazy last month and the “swamp thing” vibes were real - my partner threatened to move out if I didn’t fix it. Still, I’m with you on the guilt thing. Flushing with rainwater just feels smarter, and my water bill actually made me do a double take. Can’t believe the city doesn’t advertise those rebates better, though. If they want people to save water, maybe don’t make it a scavenger hunt?

Yeah, the city really drops the ball on making those rebates easy to find. I had to dig through like three different web pages just to figure out if my setup even qualified. You’d think they’d want more folks on board, right? And man, skipping a filter change is no joke - my whole bathroom smelled like wet dog for a week. Rainwater flushes are a game changer though, especially when you see that water bill shrink. Just wish the process wasn’t such a headache.

Man, I totally get the filter thing - first time I skipped it, I thought something died behind the wall. Not fun. The rebate info is a mess, too. I ended up making a spreadsheet just to track what I needed for my system. Once it’s running, though, watching that bill drop is pretty satisfying... even if getting there is a pain.

Yeah, the filter situation is no joke. I’ve seen folks skip a change and end up with water that smells like a swamp - nobody wants that in their bathroom. Honestly, the rebate paperwork is almost as much work as the install itself. I get why people hesitate, but once you see the savings, it’s hard to go back. Just wish the city would streamline the process a bit... or at least make the instructions less cryptic.

the filter situation is no joke. I’ve seen folks skip a change and end up with water that smells like a swamp - nobody wants that in their bathroom.

That swamp smell is all too familiar. Had a call last winter where a family’s greywater system clogged up because they missed a filter change - took hours to flush it out, and the smell lingered for days. My rule of thumb: set reminders for every filter, even if the manual says “every 6 months” - sometimes it needs it sooner. As for the rebate paperwork, yeah, it’s a maze... but if you keep copies of everything and snap pics as you go, it’s less painful. Instructions could definitely use fewer acronyms, though.

- Filters are one of those things that seem like overkill until you skip a change - then you regret it fast.
- I’ve found the “every 6 months” advice is optimistic, especially if you’ve got hard water or a lot of hair in the drains.
- Honestly, I just write the date on the filter with a Sharpie and check it every couple months. Cheaper than dealing with a plumber later.
- The rebate paperwork is a pain, but I agree - taking pics as you go helps if the city tries to say you missed something.
- Manuals could definitely be clearer... sometimes I feel like they’re written by engineers who never actually installed one of these systems.

Manuals could definitely be clearer... sometimes I feel like they’re written by engineers who never actually installed one of these systems.

Couldn’t agree more - some of those diagrams are just wild. I’ve seen folks install filters backwards because the arrows are so tiny. Curious if anyone’s tried those “no-tool” filter housings? Wondering if they’re actually less hassle or just another thing to leak down the line.

I hear you on those filter housings. I tried one of the “no-tool” types last year - honestly, it was easier to open, but I still had to wrestle with the gasket to get a good seal. Didn’t leak, but I kept checking it for weeks just in case. Manuals definitely don’t help much... half the time I’m just winging it and hoping for the best.

Didn’t leak, but I kept checking it for weeks just in case. Manuals definitely don’t help much... half the time I’m just winging it and hoping for the best.

That’s exactly my experience too. Even with the “no-tool” housings, I always end up second-guessing if I’ve got the gasket seated right. It’s like, you tighten it, but is it too tight? Not tight enough? There’s never a clear answer, and the manuals are usually just generic diagrams that don’t match what’s actually in front of me.

I’ve noticed with the rainwater systems especially, the pressure can fluctuate a bit more than with regular city water, so any tiny misalignment seems to show up as a drip eventually. Ever tried using a bit of silicone grease on the gasket? It helped me get a better seal, though I’m not sure if that’s officially recommended.

Honestly, I wish these setups came with some kind of pressure test button or indicator - just something to give peace of mind instead of having to check with a flashlight every few days. Maybe overkill, but it’d save a lot of crawling around under sinks.

Pressure test button would be a game changer, honestly. Crawling under sinks with a flashlight gets old fast.

- Silicone grease is a solid move. Not always “by the book,” but it’s saved me from leaks more than once. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a slippery mess.
- Manuals are basically useless half the time. I’ve had to call the manufacturer just to confirm which way a gasket faces - ridiculous.
- Rainwater pressure swings are no joke. I’ve seen systems where the pressure spikes after a storm and suddenly every joint starts weeping.

Ever had issues with sediment clogging things up? I’ve noticed rainwater brings in way more grit than city water, and it chews through seals faster. Wondering if anyone’s tried inline filters before the main housing - worth it, or just another thing to maintain?

Inline filters are a bit of a double-edged sword, honestly. I put one in before the main tank on my setup last year after getting tired of cleaning out grit from the toilet fill valve every few months. It definitely cut down on the sediment, but I do have to rinse the filter cartridge every few weeks or it slows the flow way down. Not a huge hassle, but it’s another thing to remember. If you’re already doing regular checks, it’s probably worth it - just don’t expect it to be totally maintenance-free.

- Had the same issue with sediment clogging up my toilet valve.
- Tried an inline filter like you mentioned - worked, but yeah, cleaning it is just one more chore.
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“just don’t expect it to be totally maintenance-free.”

I get the frustration with extra maintenance, but honestly, I’d rather clean a filter every couple months than deal with a busted valve or a flooded bathroom. Had a friend who ignored the sediment issue - ended up replacing the whole fill valve twice in a year. That’s way more hassle (and cash) than rinsing out a filter now and then.

Yeah, filters aren’t dirt cheap, but neither are plumbing repairs. Plus, if you’re using rainwater or greywater, you’re already saving on your water bill, so it kind of balances out over time. I do wish someone would invent a self-cleaning filter that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, though... Maybe someday.

For me, it’s about picking the lesser evil. A little routine maintenance beats surprise expenses, at least in my book. But I get why some folks just roll the dice and hope for the best - sometimes you just don’t want another thing on your to-do list.

Totally get where you’re coming from. When we moved in and switched to a rainwater flush system, I was surprised by how much gunk ended up in the filter after just a month. At first, I thought, “Eh, maybe I can stretch it out,” but after seeing how quickly that stuff builds up, there’s no way I’d risk it.

Here’s what’s worked for me: I set a calendar reminder every six weeks. Shut off the water, pop out the filter, and rinse it with the garden hose. Takes maybe ten minutes tops, and I haven’t had any issues with valves or weird noises since. I did notice the replacement filters aren’t cheap, but compared to what my neighbor spent fixing his overflowed toilet (seriously, carpet replacement and everything), it’s a no-brainer.

I do have to admit, sometimes I forget and push it an extra week or two...so far, no disasters, but you can definitely see the sediment pile up if you let it go too long. If someone ever invents that affordable self-cleaning filter, sign me up. Until then, this little routine seems like the best tradeoff.

I hear you on the filter routine, but I’ve actually had better luck with a mesh pre-filter setup before the main filter. It catches most of the chunky stuff - leaves, grit, whatever blows in - so the main filter doesn’t clog nearly as fast. I only have to do a deep clean every couple of months now, and honestly, it’s cut down on the cost of replacements too. Might not work for every system, but if you’re tired of cleaning out swamp goo every six weeks, it’s worth a try. Just don’t ask me about that one time I forgot both filters for three months... let’s just say my toilet sounded like it was gargling gravel.

Mesh pre-filters are a total game changer. I started using one after my first winter with the rainwater setup - had a whole ecosystem growing in the tank by spring, and cleaning that out was not fun. The mesh catches all the big stuff, like you said, but I actually found it helps with smell too. The only thing I’d add is to check after storms... learned that the hard way when a pile of soggy leaves blocked everything and, well, let’s just say flushing became optional for a day.

Mesh filters are solid, but I've seen folks forget about the overflow pipe and get caught off guard - clogs can back things up fast. You ever tried a secondary screen or just stick with one filter? Curious if doubling up is overkill or worth it.

Curious if doubling up is overkill or worth it.

- I always go with a secondary screen. Had one clog sneak past the first filter and it nearly flooded my basement - never again.
- Not overkill if you ask me, especially if you’re away often or have trees nearby.
- Quick check: make sure both screens are easy to clean, or you’ll end up skipping maintenance. Learned that the hard way...

make sure both screens are easy to clean, or you’ll end up skipping maintenance. Learned that the hard way...

Honestly, I get why people double up, but sometimes it feels like more hassle than it’s worth - especially if you’re not dealing with a ton of debris. Here’s how I’d look at it:

1. Check what’s actually coming through your system. If you’re mostly getting fine stuff, a second screen helps.
2. Make sure you can reach both screens without taking half the setup apart.
3. Set a reminder to clean them - otherwise, you’ll forget and then it’s just as bad as not having them.

I’ve seen setups where folks went overboard and ended up with more maintenance than benefit. Just my two cents.