Now no one really enjoys the idea of thinking about their toilet(s). It’s one of those necessary evils that has to be in every home, cleaned on a regular basis, and is ready for you when you really need it. But since we don’t tend to think about it is exactly why we should look at it as a place to save water.

As we mentioned in our grey-water article, most toilets installed in the last century will “flush” a whopping 5 gallons of water every time you pull the handle. To properly illustrate that, think about 5 of the gallon bottles of milk filled to the top and poured one after another down the toilet. That happens every time you flush. In recent years we have seen more ultra low flow (ULF) toilets come on the market with the same amount of power as the older models but they work with only 1.5 gallons of water per flush.

Replacing your toilet is no easy task but it is one that any DIY type can do. It will typically take about 1-2 hours and you should be strong enough to remove your old toilet. You can purchase a ULF toilet at any major retailer for $100 to $600 depending on model, style, and brand. Once you have replaced your old toilet, don’t forget to bring it to the recycling center and not the dump. Some communities have an Ultra Low Flush Replacement programs in place that will get you a tax credit for replacing your current toilet with a more efficient one.

If the average household flushes 35 times a week, with a ULF you would save 122.5 gallons of water per week as compared to a 5 gallon per flush toilet. Within 2 months the new toilet will pay for itself from savings to your water bill and that savings will carry on well into the future. If you also add in a grey-water system to the mix, you can eliminate the water expense from your toilet completely.

There are a lot of things in the home that produce waste water. Sinks, bathtubs, and laundry would normally have their waste water dumped back into sewer systems or septic tanks. However, if you own your own home, you can divert this type of water to a Greywater or sullage system for other uses.

Greywater is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes and comprises 50-80% of all residential wastewater. Greywater is distinct from blackwater in the amount and composition of its chemical and biological contaminants. For example, flushed toilet water would be considered blackwater while drained water from a load of laundry is considered greywater. Greywater can be filtered locally to reduced number of contaminants and stored for other uses in the home where non-potable water is used.

Irrigation of lawns is one area where greywater can be effectively used. By directly recycling water into your lawn you will greatly reduce the amount of potable water you use per month and will significantly reduce your water bill. Indoor reuse is also a good place to look for greywater applications. Toilets can be filled with greywater because they do not become blackwater systems until after used. When using greywater in this manner it needs to be treated before it is put back into the home in order to reduce smell and wear on the toilet. However, it can greatly reduce the overall water usage of the home, especially if you do not have a more efficient 1.5 gallon per flush toilet installed.

One great example of greywater use is the Aqus Toilet System as shown in the image above. It uses greywater from the sink, treats and stores the water in the cabinet below, then directly feeds the water to the toilet as it’s primary supply. It is estimated that this system can reduce water use in a two-person home by approximately 5,000 gallons a year.

Greywater systems are becoming a new trend in recycling and are especially attractive to people who live in the Southwest US, where water supplies can be limited. Before installing a greywater system in your home, make sure you find out if there are any local or regional requirements for installation. You can find more information on sites such as Greywater Central, Greywater Saver, and Greywater.com on how to plan, install, and use your greywater system to it’s maximum potential