How many gallons of water a year could you save if....???

Question

you followed the rule of "if it's yellow let it mellow!"...??? (that means not flushing when you go pee for those of you who don't know)

Answer 1

Depends on the type of toilet, i.e. the old U.S. 7.2 gallon or the European 1.6 litters.  Then it would depend on how many people in the household during a 24hour period, etc.  Bottom line you save water!  But on average I would say you would save over 12,000 gallons per year in the U.S. with a family of 4 using the toilet 4 times a day.

Answer 2

Thats freakin' gross and disturbing.

Answer 3

I'm a small farmer, on a permaculture farm.  I live in Idaho, in the very heart of potato country.  This part of the U.S. is high mountain desert.  I KNOW how precious water is, and what a rare commodity clean water is becoming.  Anyone who states otherwise has never lived in a desert community, or an area with polluted water.

I follow that rule, especially in the master bathroom (no chance of a drop by visitor getting a suprise).  I have a bladder about the size a peanut (I swear).  I figure there are 5 times a day I'm not flushing (letting it mellow).  We have old toilets, from the 1970's.  I believe they are 5 gallon toilets.  So that is 25 gallons of water a day.  

25 gallons X 365 days =9125 gallons of water for just me.  Now my husband is starting to do the same thing at times, so that is even more water.

I've lived here in Idaho, for 4 years.  That's 36,500 gallons of water (at least).  

It makes a difference....anyone who thinks otherwise is just childish.  By the way, I grew up in the very, very water abundant area of the Pacific Northwest.  Even there, where water is not a problem, it can make a difference.  You can overwhelm your septic system in times when rainfall is plentiful, with too much water.  So even in areas where clean water is not rare, it's a good idea.

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 4

There is plenty of WATER . There is no reason to propagate a lie.