In a world where a large percentage of the population have no access to it, fresh, clean drinkable water is a valuable, expensive resource which modern society takes for granted. Vast quantities of it are used every day, for

• Baths and showers,
• Washing machines and dishwashers,
• Flushing the toilet,
• Cleaning the car,
• Watering the garden,
• Washing dishes, and
  
• Cleaning the house.

In some instances, we do not need drinking water to carry out the task. Only about 5 -10% of valuable drinking water is actually used for drinking and cooking. The rest is extravagantly used for bathing, washing the car, flushing the toilet and watering the garden. If permitted by your local authority, you can collect rainwater and recycle greywater (water from the bathroom basin, shower and bath) to replace drinking water for tasks where it is not necessary for the water to be of such a high standard. These solutions can become very expensive, depending on how you use them.

Rainwater Collection

This can be as simple as collecting rainwater in a butt to use on the garden or to wash the car, to collecting all the rainwater falling onto the house and collecting it into large-capacity storage tanks. Although undrinkable, the quality is good enough for greenhouses, gardens, toilets, washing machines, washing the car and possibly hot tubs and swimming pools, although you many need to disinfect it before use with the latter two options. Water from roofs with lead flashing or gulleys is not suitable, and you should check there is no problem with rainwater pollution in your area.

Wastewater Recycling

Wastewater, or greywater, is collected from the bath, shower and bathroom basin (but not the kitchen sink, dishwasher or washing machine, which is too heavily contaminated). It is treated and filtered, and can then be used in the garden and greenhouse, and sometimes to flush toilets. This system has to be carefully maintained otherwise it could become a health risk, and you must ensure that no harmful substances that could pass through the treatment system are used in the water that goes into the system.