Stop flushing it away
Of all the water in the world, three percent is freshwater and of that three percent, 0.3 percent is available for human consumption. That doesn’t add up to a lot since that 0.3 slice includes everything from irrigating crops right through to bottled water.
The average European uses 150 liters (40 gallons) of water per day, the average African 50 liters (13 gallons) and the average North American a whopping 350 liters (92 gallons).
North Americans need to cut down out consumption and inside the home is one of the best places to start. We use about 10 percent for cooking and drinking so where does the rest go? Down the toilet and drain mostly. We flush close to 100 liters (26 gallons) down the toilet, which adds up to 30 percent of our total use. The remaining 60 percent is used for bathing, laundry and watering the garden.
Grey water a sensible choice
Aside from the ecological ramifications, we have to consider the cost to the consumer every time we flush. Flushed water has to be shipped through pipes to a water treatment plant where it’s filtered, treated and then shipped back to home via another set of pipes. The cost for all of this is passed onto the consumer through water tax bills. Cutting down on water consumption is good for the environment and the bank account. But that doesn't mean you have to stop bathing or resort to using an outhouse.
Brac Systems has developed an ingenious way to stop flushing your money down the toilet and start saving by using grey water. Grey water is the runoff from our bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen. Because this water doesn't have to purified, it can be re-used for watering gardens or flushing toilets. In fact, almost all the splashy fountains, lakes and waterfalls in Las Vegas are powered with grey water.
Supplementary system
The Brac System is a tank system that works directly with your plumbing. Drains from the bathtub, showers, dishwashers and washing machines get directed into the top half of the Brac tank, where is it filtered into the bottom compartment. The intake valve for each toilet is then hooked up to the bottom tank so when you flush you use 100 percent grey water instead of fresh water. You can also direct the grey water to your outside faucet for use in your garden for watering lawns and flower gardens (not the veggies though). The system has also been designed to recyle rainwater runoff as well.
Brac has also addressed the main concern about toilets suddenly going dry when there isn't enough grey water available. They’ve built an emergency valve and pipe that attaches to the main water supply that fills the toilet with freshwater should the Brac tank be empty.
The system comes in three different sizes, from the smallest with a capacity of 125 liters (33 gallons) to the largest at 325 liters (86 gallons). You will need a plumber to install the system -- this is not something you can do on your own. You should consider switching to biodegradable soaps and shampoos, which will cut down on foaming (it's better for the environment anyways). When the Brac system is up and running, you can expect to save at least 30 percent off your monthly water bills.
Green Living Blogs
Charles Cone
Southern Energy Solutions
www.soenso.com