How to Recycle Water: Everything You Need to Know
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How Can Recycling Water Lower Your Environmental Impact?
Did you know that only 3% of the world's water is fresh water and that two-thirds of that is locked up in glaciers and ice caps? That means only 1% of the world's water is available for human use. With the population growing at an alarming rate, it's more important than ever to start conserving water and do our share to save the only Earth we have.
There are many ways to recycle water, and in this blog post, we will discuss them all. We will also explain what recyclable water is and why it is important to conserve and reuse water.
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Is Recycling Water Really Necessary?
In some cases, recycling wastewater and reusing water is the only way to ensure that there is enough water to meet our needs.
California is currently in the midst of a major drought. The state has been dealing with water shortages for years, and the situation is only getting worse. In order to combat the water crisis, California has started to recycle wastewater.
The state is currently recycling water from sewage plants and oil refineries. The wastewater is treated and then used to irrigate crops or for industrial purposes.
Recycling wastewater is not only necessary in California, it's also necessary in other parts of the world where water shortages are a major issue.
Can Water Be Recycled?
Although unusual in some ways, paper and plastic are not all of our everyday objects that can be recycled. Typically water reclamation or water recycling refers to the treatment and use of wastewater in homes and industrial processes for different uses. By learning how to recycle water, we can make our lives and our future more sustainable and safer.
How Is Recycled Water Used?
Recycling water is intended as a means of supporting or enabling alternative water supplies. Recycled water has its use for water supply, groundwater replenishment, manufacturing processes, environmental restoration, and drinking water.
Learn How to Reuse Water Around the Home With These Water Recycling Ideas
There are many ways to recycle water. The most common methods are:
- Reuse of greywater
- Rainwater harvesting
- Stormwater harvesting
- Wastewater treatment and reuse
Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks to reuse water, which we will discuss below.
Reuse of Greywater
Greywater is water that has been used in the home for activities such as bathing, laundry, and dishwashing. It does not include water from toilets or kitchens.
Greywater can be reused in a variety of ways, including:
- Watering plants
- Flushing toilets
- Washing cars or pets
The main benefit of using greywater is that it saves fresh water. It also reduces the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated.
The main drawback of using greywater is that it can contain harmful bacteria and chemicals. If not handled properly, it can pollute the environment.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting rainwater from roofs and storing it in tanks for later use.
The main benefits of rainwater harvesting are:
- It reduces the demand on our water supply
- It can be used to water plants or flush toilets
- It can help reduce flooding
The main drawback of rainwater harvesting is that it requires a lot of space to store the water. It also can't be used in areas that don't have enough rain.
Stormwater Harvesting
Stormwater harvesting is the process of collecting stormwater from streets, sidewalks, and other impervious surfaces and storing it in tanks for later use.
The main benefits of stormwater harvesting are:
- It reduces the amount of water that enters our sewer systems and causes flooding
- It can be used to irrigate plants or flush toilets
- It helps reduce our environmental impact
The main drawback of stormwater harvesting is that it can't be used in areas that don't have enough rain.
Wastewater Treatment and Water Reuse
Wastewater treatment is the process of removing harmful pollutants from wastewater before it is released back into the environment.
The main benefits of wastewater treatment are:
- It reduces the amount of water that enters our sewer systems and causes flooding
- It helps reduce our environmental impact
The main drawback of wastewater treatment is that it requires a lot of energy to operate.
How to Conserve Water
Conserving water is important for many reasons. It helps us lower our environmental impact, saves energy, and reduces the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated.
There are many ways we can save water, including:
- Turning off the faucet when we are brushing our teeth
- Taking shorter showers
- Watering plants early in the morning or late in the evening
- Using a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand
- Only wash laundry on full loads so that it's more efficient
Setting up a Rain Barrel to Water Plants
Installation is easy: Position the rain barrel close to the downspout, then install dredging devices for channeling water in the downspout to the barrel. It's best to elevate the barrel to an upright wood frame or concrete cinder block so it can easily be reached from the spigot that is normally towards the base of the barrel. When your container is installed, you can use the harvested water to water flower pots and maintenance needs.
Collect Half-Used Glasses Or Bottles Of Water
Someone filled a glass with water, took a couple of sips, and left the container half-full with water that will go to waste. This water can be used to water the plants in your home or garden or put it in your watering can outside.
Place a Bucket in the Shower
You can also recycle your shower water at home. It could be as simple as placing a bucket under the showerhead to collect the excess water as you wait for the water to get warmer. The water could be used to water your indoor plants or garden.
Install a Grey Water Collection System
Gray water systems use wastewater from pipes (except toilets) to reuse in the house. With the right plumbing and a small investment in grey water storage, you can repurpose water in the washing machine as water in the yard. Water Wise Group has an extensive list of water systems and several educational materials for beginners.
Installing gray sewage systems can be tricky in older homes, but the plumbing configuration can readily become an integral component in the modern building.
Conclusion
America's communities who have limited water access understand very well how vital it is to protect its valuable resource. On average Americans consume around 100 gallons of water daily; this water is also wasted through leakage or inadequate use by households. Fortunately, by making small but savvy changes, we can eliminate waste, improve our environment and save our precious material.
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