Home Water Reclamation System: Benefits for You & the Environment

Home Water Reclamation System,Okay, so I’ve been wanting to do something about our crazy high water bill, and I finally took the plunge (pun intended!) and started looking into a home water reclamation system. It seemed daunting at first, but it’s been a pretty cool learning experience.

The Idea Phase

It all started with the garden. I love my little veggie patch, but watering it was killing my wallet, especially during the summer. Then I started thinking, “What if I could reuse some of the water we’re already using?” That’s when the lightbulb went off.

Getting My Hands Dirty (Literally)

First things first, I had to figure out where I could even collect water. The obvious choices were:

• Shower water: Seemed like a goldmine, but also…kinda gross at first thought.
• Washing machine: Lots of water, but also lots of soap.
• Bathroom sinks: Less water than the shower, but probably cleaner.

I decided to start with the bathroom sink. It felt like the easiest and least icky option to get my feet wet (another pun!).

The Plumbing Adventure

This is where things got interesting. I’m no plumber, but I’m pretty handy with tools. I watched a bunch of videos and read some articles online. The basic idea is to redirect the drain pipe from the sink to a storage tank instead of straight to the sewer.

I got some PVC pipes, some connectors, and a shut-off valve (important, so you can switch back to the regular drain if needed!). It took some trial and error, and a few trips to the hardware store, but I managed to get the sink draining into a big plastic barrel I set up in the basement.

Filtering the Gunk

Now, you can’t just use sink water directly on your plants. It’s got soap, toothpaste, and whatever else goes down the drain. So, I needed a filter.

I built a simple one using layers of gravel, sand, and charcoal in a separate bucket. The water from the storage barrel drips through this filter and comes out surprisingly clean. It’s not drinking water, obviously, but it looks good enough for the garden.

The Big Test

Finally, the moment of truth! I connected a hose to the filtered water barrel and started watering my tomatoes. They didn’t die! In fact, they seemed to love it. It was so satisfying to see my little system actually working.

Lessons Learned & What’s Next

It’s still a work in progress.

I will make these improvements:

• I want to add a bigger storage tank.
• automate the system with a pump, maybe even solar-powered!

But overall, I’m super proud of my DIY water reclamation system. It’s saving me money, and it feels good to be doing something a little bit better for the environment. If you’re thinking about trying something similar, I say go for it! Just be prepared to get your hands a little dirty.