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

Funny, that’s almost exactly what happened with my setup - the tiniest drip behind the utility sink, and it took forever to figure out where the musty smell was coming from. I get what you mean about the water savings being worth it, but sometimes I wonder if the hassle balances out. Have you noticed any issues with the system clogging up, or is it mostly just leaks?

I’m also a bit skeptical about how these systems hold up over, say, five or ten years. Like, are we going to end up spending more on repairs than we save on water bills? I’m all for using less water, but I wish there were more straightforward ways to keep things running smoothly. Ever tried any of those smart leak detectors, or do you just go old-school and check everything by hand? Sometimes I think the tech adds as many problems as it solves...

I hear you on the tech sometimes making things more complicated than they need to be. Honestly, I’ve stuck with manual checks because the smart sensors seem pricey and I’m not convinced they’d catch everything anyway. As for long-term costs, I did a rough calculation and, unless water rates go way up, it’s probably a break-even at best after factoring in repairs and replacement parts. Still, I like the idea of using less water, even if it’s a bit more work. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I’d rather deal with a wrench than another app...

- I get where you’re coming from - manual checks just feel more reliable sometimes.
- Had a job last year where the “smart” system kept flagging false leaks and it drove everyone nuts. Ended up spending more time chasing phantom problems than fixing real ones.
- The upfront cost for those sensors is no joke either, and you still gotta maintain the old hardware anyway.
- I like the water-saving angle, but honestly, sometimes a wrench and a good eye beat an app that needs updates every month…
- Curious if anyone’s actually saved big on their bills with the tech, or if it just sounds good on paper?

I totally get the frustration with “smart” systems that aren’t all that smart. Had a buddy who put in one of those leak sensors and it kept pinging him at 2am for “moisture detected” - turned out it was just condensation from the pipes. He ended up unplugging it after a month. I’m all for saving water, but if the tech’s more hassle than help, what’s the point?

I’ve looked into rainwater toilets and greywater setups, but the upfront costs and the maintenance kind of scare me off. Plus, I keep wondering about the actual savings - like, does it really make a dent in the water bill, or is it more about feeling good? I’d love to see some real numbers from folks who’ve had these systems for a while.

Manual checks might be old school, but at least you know what you’re dealing with. Sometimes I think we’re just adding more things that can break. Anyone else feel like we’re trading one set of problems for another?

Manual checks might be old school, but at least you know what you’re dealing with.

I hear you on that. I tried a “smart” thermostat and it kept thinking I was out of the house when I was literally just in another room. Ended up more annoying than helpful. As for the water stuff, I ran some numbers before moving in - rainwater toilets looked cool, but the ROI was like, 15 years unless you’re in a drought-prone area. Not sure it’s worth the hassle for most people, honestly. Maintenance is a whole other can of worms, too.

Maintenance is a whole other can of worms, too.

That’s the part folks don’t always think about. I worked on a rainwater setup last year - looked great on paper, but after a couple seasons, the filters were clogged and the pump was whining. Owner said it felt like having a second job just keeping it running. I get the appeal, but unless you’re really into tinkering or live somewhere bone-dry, it’s a tough sell for most people.

- Maintenance is where these systems lose a lot of folks.
- Filters clog up way faster than you’d expect, especially if you’ve got trees nearby or a lot of dust in the air.
- Pumps aren’t exactly quiet or cheap to replace, either.
- If you’re not checking for leaks or backflow, you could end up with some nasty surprises - think mold or even cross-contamination.
- I get why people want to save water, but unless you’re ready to keep a maintenance log and get your hands dirty, it’s not as “set and forget” as some installers make it sound.
- Honestly, I’d only recommend it if you’re the type who enjoys regular DIY projects... otherwise, it can be more hassle than it’s worth.

Had to chime in here because this is hitting close to home. We moved into our first house last year, and it came with a “state-of-the-art” rainwater system for the toilets. At first, I thought it was a cool bonus - save some money, help the planet, all that. But the reality’s been a bit of a wake-up call.

“Filters clog up way faster than you’d expect, especially if you’ve got trees nearby or a lot of dust in the air.”

This is so true. We’ve got a maple out front and I swear, those little helicopter seeds find their way into everything. The filter was supposed to last a few months, but I was cleaning it every couple of weeks during the spring. Not exactly what I had in mind when the installer said “low maintenance.”

The pump noise is another thing. It’s not deafening, but you definitely notice it at night when everything else is quiet. I’ve gotten used to it, but guests always ask what that humming is. And when the pump went out after six months, the replacement was way pricier than I expected. Not a budget item I’d planned for.

I will say, I haven’t had any cross-contamination issues (knock on wood), but I check for leaks obsessively now. The idea of mold or worse lurking somewhere is enough to keep me on my toes. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

I get the appeal - using less water is a good thing, and it does feel satisfying when you see the water bill drop a bit. But I agree, unless you’re someone who likes tinkering and doesn’t mind getting your hands dirty, it’s not as “set and forget” as the brochures make it sound. I wouldn’t call it a total hassle, but it’s definitely more work than I bargained for.

If I had to do it again, I’d probably ask a lot more questions about maintenance before jumping in. Live and learn, I guess.

Honestly, I kind of enjoy the tinkering part - maybe that’s just me. We put in a similar setup a couple years back and yeah, the filters need more attention than I expected, but I found swapping to a larger pre-filter cut the debris issue way down. The pump noise bugged me at first, but I insulated the closet it’s in and now it’s barely noticeable unless you’re standing right next to it. Maintenance isn’t zero, for sure, but it feels manageable once you get into a rhythm. The water bill savings have been bigger than I thought, too. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but I wouldn’t call it a dealbreaker if you like hands-on projects.

- Totally agree about the maintenance being manageable once you settle into a routine.
- Good call on the pre-filter; that’s one thing I wish I’d gone bigger on from the start.
- Insulating the pump area’s a smart move - noise can be sneaky annoying.
- Just a quick heads up: always double-check those connections for leaks, especially after filter swaps. It’s easy to miss a drip or two.
- The water savings really do add up faster than you’d think... makes the extra effort worth it, in my book.

One thing I’d add - if you’re running greywater to showers, make sure you’re using the right kind of pipe and fittings. Some plastics don’t hold up well over time with that kind of use. Curious if anyone’s had issues with mineral buildup in their lines? That’s been a headache for a couple clients of mine.

Mineral buildup’s definitely a thing, especially if the greywater’s coming from hard water sources. I’ve seen it get pretty gnarly in older setups where folks used standard PVC or even some of the cheaper PEX. The buildup seems to accelerate if the water’s sitting in the lines for a while, like in low-use showers. I’ve heard some people swear by CPVC or even copper for better longevity, but then you run into cost and installation headaches.

Have you noticed if the clients with issues are using any kind of filtration before the greywater hits the shower lines? I’m wondering if a basic sediment filter would help, or if it’s more about the type of soap and shampoo going down the drain. Some of those “natural” products seem to leave more residue, at least from what I’ve seen during cleanouts.

Curious if anyone’s tried periodic flushing with vinegar or something similar to keep things clear. Not sure how that’d play out long-term, but it seems like a possible workaround...

I’ve wondered about the vinegar flush too, but I’m not convinced it’d do much for heavy mineral buildup, especially if it’s been sitting for a while. Maybe as a preventative thing? I tried it once in my old place and didn’t notice a huge difference, but that was just with regular hard water, not greywater. As for filters, I’d think a basic sediment filter could help with the bigger stuff, but those “natural” soaps definitely seem to gunk things up more than the regular ones. Hard to say what’s worse - minerals or soap scum. Anyone actually seen a long-term setup where vinegar flushing made a real dent?

I’ve been wondering the same thing about vinegar - seems like it’s more of a maintenance thing than a fix for buildup that’s already set in. I tried it in my shower drain after a few months of using “natural” soaps, but honestly, the gunk just kind of laughed at it. Has anyone tried combining vinegar flushes with something like a water softener or maybe even switching soap brands? I’m curious if the type of soap makes a bigger difference than the minerals themselves.

Yeah, vinegar’s good for keeping things from getting out of hand, but once that soap scum and mineral gunk sets in, it’s pretty stubborn. I’ve noticed “natural” soaps can actually make it worse, especially if you’ve got hard water. The minerals react with the soap and leave that sticky film. Swapping to a water softener helps a ton, but honestly, switching to a different soap - something less fatty or with chelating agents - can make a bigger difference than you’d think. Sometimes it’s just trial and error until you find what works in your setup.

I’ve run into that same issue with “natural” soaps leaving a weird film, especially in showers hooked up to rainwater or greywater systems. Hard water just makes it worse. If you’re using rainwater for toilets and showers, are you filtering it before it hits the fixtures? Sometimes the sediment can speed up buildup, and I’ve seen folks skip that step thinking rainwater’s already clean. Curious if anyone’s tried a multi-stage filter or just stuck with basic mesh screens?

I've tried both mesh screens and a basic sediment filter, mostly because I was worried about gunk building up in the pipes. Honestly, the mesh alone didn't catch the finer stuff, and I still got that slimy residue in the shower. Ended up adding a cheap spun-poly filter as a second stage, and that made a big difference with soap scum and buildup. Anybody ever notice if those carbon filters are worth the extra cost for shower water? Not sure if they're overkill or actually useful.

I’ve messed around with carbon filters for shower setups. They’re decent at taking out odors and some chemicals, but honestly, unless your water smells funky or you’ve got skin sensitivities, it might be more than you need. The spun-poly does most of the heavy lifting for particles. Carbon’s more about taste and smell, which isn’t a big deal for showers unless your source water is rough.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a few cases where folks skipped carbon and ended up with weird skin reactions after switching to greywater setups. Not always about smell - sometimes it’s trace stuff you can’t see or smell that causes problems. If you’re dealing with non-potable sources, I’d rather overdo it than risk a callout for a rash or worse. Just my two cents.

I’ve actually wondered about that - like, is carbon really that necessary if you’re just using the water for showers? I helped on a job where they skipped the carbon filter and the water looked fine, but after a couple weeks, one of the tenants started getting itchy skin. No weird smells or anything, just irritation. Makes me think there’s more going on than what you can see. Is it always trace chemicals, or could it be bacteria too? I’m still trying to wrap my head around all the stuff that can sneak through.