100%, Tom, and something I’ve been doing for years (washing my veg in a bowl and then using that water for something else etc). But it’s the systems change to grey water use as a rule that will make a difference.
Another much overlooked but horrifying use of water is AI. Just had a long discussion with colleagues about that.
I agree. I live on the Suffolk coast and it didn't rain yesterday and hasn't rained for weeks. It is terrible to see the state of the countryside with the grass all brown and crispy and the earth so dry it looks like sand. I have water butts in the garden but the stored water doesn't last long and I am desperate to keep my garden alive for the wildlife. April showers and the vibrancy of spring seem to be a distant memory.
As a small step, I have recently started to save the water coming out of the dryer, and I'm using it to water the plants on the balcony. I'm using a mild/more natural detergent, so the grey water is not causing any issues.
I'll try to do the same for the shower water - I'm curious to see how much I'm using, too.
We should insist on grey water plants being included in every new housing development.
And a tip for anyone who has a compost heap in the garden. It needs to be kept moist too. Save toilet flushing by using diluted urine on the heap. Another thing to do in the evening perhaps!
I was prompted by this to get a bucket for the shower, to catch the initial cold water and the excess. Tried it first time this morning, about 10 litres. It would be so much better to have this caught automatically and diverted. My dad is 90 and very frugal. He does a stand up wash only, collects the cold water in a bucket and uses this to flush the loo!
We moved to the south west UK partly because it rains more, having seen predictions that the east and south east will become drier. But perhaps we should have gone to Wales…
But in any event the measures you suggest are necessary everywhere now…
100%, Tom, and something I’ve been doing for years (washing my veg in a bowl and then using that water for something else etc). But it’s the systems change to grey water use as a rule that will make a difference.
Another much overlooked but horrifying use of water is AI. Just had a long discussion with colleagues about that.
I agree. I live on the Suffolk coast and it didn't rain yesterday and hasn't rained for weeks. It is terrible to see the state of the countryside with the grass all brown and crispy and the earth so dry it looks like sand. I have water butts in the garden but the stored water doesn't last long and I am desperate to keep my garden alive for the wildlife. April showers and the vibrancy of spring seem to be a distant memory.
Great insights!
As a small step, I have recently started to save the water coming out of the dryer, and I'm using it to water the plants on the balcony. I'm using a mild/more natural detergent, so the grey water is not causing any issues.
I'll try to do the same for the shower water - I'm curious to see how much I'm using, too.
Nice! If it would be wasted, may as well do something with it right?
We should insist on grey water plants being included in every new housing development.
And a tip for anyone who has a compost heap in the garden. It needs to be kept moist too. Save toilet flushing by using diluted urine on the heap. Another thing to do in the evening perhaps!
Excellent article. I'm working on my next Substack post which will be on the same issue from a slightly different angle, so I'll link to this post!
Brilliant. I think lots of people will be considering this topic at the moment. Looking forward to reading yours!
There has to be a better way to dispose of human waste.
I was prompted by this to get a bucket for the shower, to catch the initial cold water and the excess. Tried it first time this morning, about 10 litres. It would be so much better to have this caught automatically and diverted. My dad is 90 and very frugal. He does a stand up wash only, collects the cold water in a bucket and uses this to flush the loo!
We moved to the south west UK partly because it rains more, having seen predictions that the east and south east will become drier. But perhaps we should have gone to Wales…
But in any event the measures you suggest are necessary everywhere now…
Useful, timely, common sense. Thank you Tom