Using rain water to flush toilets.

[Thomzo]

Hi
I would like to use stored rain water to flush the downstairs toilet and possibly for the washing machine as well. I have space for a separate tank for the rain water at a height that would mean I don't need a pump.

Does anyone know if it is possible to rig up a dual system where the washing machine and toilet would pull water from the main supply if the rain water store ran out? I don't really want to fill the whole tank from the main supply in case it rains later. I just want it to fill say enough for say one flush.

Cheers
Zoe

[Annpan]

Could you rig up a ball-cock (hee,hee) in the rain water tank, so that it would top up from the mains if it fell below, say, 3 litres. I have thought about doing a similar thing myself and that is how I had planned it.

[Jack]

Gidday

There is no reason what-so-ever to stop you using rainwater like that. Especially if you are on water metres and charged by the gallon of cubic metre. Many many people throughout the world have no other water.

[Thomzo]

Could you rig up a ball-cock (hee,hee) in the rain water tank, so that it would top up from the mains if it fell below, say, 3 litres. I have thought about doing a similar thing myself and that is how I had planned it.

Hi
I wondered if that was possible. I was having a look this morning to see where I could put the tank and it's going to be more complicated than I thought cos there are doors and windows and things in the way.

I was also hoping to get a black tank and site it somewhere where the sun could pre-heat it before it goes into the washing machine.

I then have to convince a plumber to actually do it. That will be fun. I don't think Swindon plumbers are used to strange requests - they are more used to plumbing in brand new "cardboard box" houses.

Zoe

[Bonniegirl]

cant you just tip a bucket of rainwater down the 'ole!!!

[Thomzo]

That's far too simple!

[Bonniegirl]

Thats me I'm afraid...............simple!!

[the.fee.fairy]

I can see the use for the toilet water, but i
m not sure i would waqnt to wash my clothes in rain water to be honest.

Rain water is not very clean, so you could end up with cklothes that are not as clean as you'd like,or that smell funny because of the water used.

The eartships have a filtration systems for rainwater to make it wash and potable. I don't know exactly how it works, but it might be worht looking into filtration a well as supply.

[Bonniegirl]

All our water comes off our roof and barn roof and is collected in 2 x 22,000 litre tanks, the water goes through 1 filter in the tank shed and then drinking water goes through another filter under the sink.

You don't get much closer to pure rainwater than that!

[the.fee.fairy]

it sounds like a good plan, with filters.

What i meant is that i wouldn't like to use fresh rainwater, before its been filtered.

Is it a lot softer than the normal water?

[Bonniegirl]

I don't use fabric softener in my wash, and I rarely use conditioner on my hair!

So I would say it is softer. Plus you don't get all the little extras added into it except for all the little goodies off the roof ;) but the filter takes care of all the that, we have mesh over the guttering to keep leaves etc out.

It must be working ok, cos we ain't dead yet!

[Annpan]

Rain water is not very clean, so you could end up with cklothes that are not as clean as you'd like,or that smell funny because of the water used.

Really

I think that it all the crap on the roof / water butts that isn't clean, I'd say rain water is the cleanest freshest water you can get. You would need a filter of course because the rain water wil clean the filthy roof on its way into your water tank. But I wouldn't shy from using it on clothes at all. Also it is free from all the chemicals that are in tap water that could be damaging clothes. (chlorine?, flouride?, other stuff?) - Just want to say I have NO scientific proof of this, its just my opinion.

I'd love to rig up a system like that, its part of my 5 year plan. though I don't know if I'd go so far as to use it for drinking water - luckily I probably always have mains water supply and so don't need to worry about that.

[Bonniegirl]

What you got to think about your mains water is how much pipe has it travelled to to get to your house, do you have a filter fitted to your tap before you drink it?

Where's it been??? What's it got added to it?

As long as you use a good filtration system, ours are carbon filters, t shouldn't be a problem.

But then with all the risks you could be taking with your water it's probably better to substitute your water for wine..............

.......how many glasses of water should you have in a day???

[Thomzo]

But then with all the risks you could be taking with your water it's probably better to substitute your water for wine..............

.......how many glasses of water should you have in a day???

Hic.

Jusht teshting that theory but the more I drink the more I think you need. But guys now you confushing meeee. Am I shupposhed to be washing my undies in filters? Or flushing my loo with vino?

Hey - then of course you can use the bottles to edge the garden and cover the walls with the corks (back to our insulation thread as well).

Crikey wine is so much more ssishshshsh than water. Good one Bonniegirl .

[Bonniegirl]

Aww bugger yer undies.........chuck 'em away!

Drink more wine!!


I reckon I've got enough bottles to line my drive.................the drives about 150ft!!