Advantages & disadvantages of groundwater exploitation, recycling 'grey' water and 'virtual' water

Question

Advantages & disadvantages of groundwater exploitation, recycling 'grey' water and 'virtual' water

Answer 1

While I'm no fan of shrill "green" fanatics, I am not a fan of waste. For instance, rather than let tap water run down the drain while waiting for it to warm up, I use it to fill a pitcher with which I can fill the dogs' bowls later.

And... rather than the alarming "toilet to tap" schemes, I'm thinking more along the lines of "tap to toilet", letting the sink water fill the toilet tanks.

When we had a leak in the air conditioner, I collected the water and used it to water our flowers during a dry spell this past summer.

There's a lot of little stuff you can do, and it can be done without political force or stolen tax dollars. All it takes is a little common sense.

Answer 2

There are no disadvantages to being economical with water.  In the UK we have plenty of rainfall but the reservoirs, pumps and mains are sometimes unable to deal with our growing demands.  By reducing the demand you will save a great deal of global warming, pollution and destruction caused by construction and manufacture of new reservoirs, pumps etc..

Groundwater exploitation can be useful but care is needed to avoid tapping water reserves already needed elswhere.  And groundwater should not be used instead of economy in use.

Answer 3

I collect water from rain to use for making soap and the like.  It seems ridiculous not to use it for something in a country this wet, especially when it may cause flooding if something isn't done with it, i.e. from run off from non-porous surfaces on the ground.  I also flush the toilet when possible with grey water.  Virtual water can be reduced by being as self-sufficient as possible and using local products.  I can't think of any disadvantages of using grey water.