Why don't houses have TWO grades of water (drinking and sprinkling)?

Question

I'm always puzzled by this. We know gasoline is precious and limited, whereas water is semi-precious and reuseable. Yet it matters to save water or else in the future we may have shortages due to population growth, or global warming.

So if water is sort-of-precious and must be saved, why are home and residential distribution systems so that we drink the same water as we use to water the garden or to take a bath (grey water)? Shouldn't houses have TWO grades of water ie two parallel plumbing systems?

Adding the 'grey pipe' on older houses seems kind of late to do cost-effectively now, but can we still do this on newer houses? Would it be worth? Imagine how cheaper it is for a plant to produce grey water, very little filtering needed.

Am I the first one to think about this?...

Answer 1

You wouldnt want to take a bath in grey water lol. I think the issue here for me is why are you watering the garden? Why do you need to 'sprinkle'?

We need to relook at how we design our environments in my opinion. Everyone should be on a water meter, so they are charged for the water they use. Then any leaks/breaks in the system would be quickly repaired because it would be costing somebody directly - either the water user or the supplier. Paying for what you use is the most socially just way.

Secondly rain water can easily be harvested, collected and stored in water butts, this is the simpliest method. This can water can then be used outside.

The biggest issue for me in the reason why people need to 'sprinkle' in the first place. DESIGN the environment to fit the climatic conditions. Plant trees to collect then store water so they can release it when needed. Plant trees for shade, windbreak, to produce fruit, nuts, timber, fuel. Using natural materials such as large boulders and shady areas another microclimate can be produced by the thermal gradient between these two zones creating a cooling breeze. Large bodies of water such as reservoirs and lakes also help to emeliorate the local climate. If everyone with a garden planted climate appropriate plants, had even a small pond and planted a few trees then the land would not become overilluminated and would not need 'sprinkling' ever.

Answer 2

You wouldn't want to pay the taxes that would be necessary for a city to run two sets of water lines throughout the city. Neither did the people who were alive when our cities were built.

Answer 3

Newer homes in some communities do this, but to retrofit a 2nd set of pipes is cost prohibitive, as you say.  Reclaimed or recycled water is being used in areas like Irvine, California.  Forward-leading water agencies in places like the arid southwest are going this route by necessity.

Great minds think alike, I guess.

Answer 4

In Australia the government is making new development recycle the water. I don't know the exact details of whether the grey water pumped back to houses for reuse but it is definitely being used in industry and councils for non potable purposes.

Answer 5

To be honest, I have often wondered why houses near the coast (a significant percentage in many Countries / states) do not have three grades:-

Drinking / showering / bathing etc

Grey water - from above outlets for garden

Sea water for flushing loo

I'm afraid I think you need to use drinking quality water for bathing - not only for youngsters who might drink the bathwater but also because the idea of stepping out of the shower and needing to remember to now wash hands and face in CLEAN water before handling food etc seems a bit too much to ask.

Just as an aside, I think you are using the term "grey water" in a different way to the norm.

Usually grey water refers to water that has already been used by the household - eg: for bathing / showering and is stored for use on gardens. This is very common in parts of Spain / Canary Islands.

In short, I think with a minor tweak, your idea is excellent.

Mark

Answer 6

No, the amount of water in our world will stay the same, because the water cannot leave our earth therefore we will always have enough water. But , scientists in Europe are trying to convert salt water into freshwater that is drinkable by heating it up then sprinkling it back down. when sprinkled the salt will be seprated by the water and you have freshwater. They are already using this in some parts of Canada.