[Green Designs] Reusing water

As mentioned in our recent article about Earthships, water can be reused as is in some cases, including shower and bath water. Clearly this 'grey water' is not suitable for drinking without treatment, but it can be used for: 

- Flushing the toilet 

- Watering the garden 

- Washing clothes* 

If the water is to be stored and not used immediately, it may require some form of treatment to prevent the incubation of bacteria, but even in normal households it is possible to save around a third of the daily water usage. 

*In Japan, most people wash in the shower before getting into the bath, therefore the water is generally clean and free of detergents. Pumps to transfer water from the bath to the washing machine are sold in many stores throughout Japan and can significantly reduce the amount of water a household uses.

Originally submitted by Hiromi Watanabe, Hiroshima.