Saving Water- bathing, clothes washing etc.

[Coachgeo]

so much effort and expense chasing a ridiculous goal, unless you are truly heading into or across lands with no available surface water....

to each his own

1. drastically reduces size of tanks needed for water, grey and black tanks. Less fuel cost to haul those full tanks around.
2. extend boondocking - building with an eye on shtf..... though pretty sure it would never happen... going that route will extend boondocking as well so why not.
3. save water- H20 is one of the most valuable items on earth and we do not use it in our world to wisely (aka CA, TX and other areas with often water shortages etc.)

 

[pappawheely]

On a related topic, I looked into purchasing land around Yucca, AZ. They told me if I put any permanent structure there I would have to put in a septic tank big enough for a 3 bedroom house. I asked what would happen if you had no running water and the septic tank dried up. They would not answer. What a waste. I was looking to use an incinerator toilet and recycle the gray water.

 

[Coachgeo]

On a related topic, I looked into purchasing land around Yucca, AZ. They told me if I put any permanent structure there I would have to put in a septic tank big enough for a 3 bedroom house. I asked what would happen if you had no running water and the septic tank dried up. They would not answer. What a waste. I was looking to use an incinerator toilet and recycle the gray water.

ran into same issue in a county TX. Remember; regulation does not mean you have to use it... you just have to install it and be inspected.

But that being said..... there is power play sometimes going on with a person in the office who likes the power of "do what I say" rather the rules/regulations say alternatives are available or not. Thus, READ the regulations for yourself to verify.

 

[grizzlyj]

Hiya

A friend of mine hasn't used any soap products since he was a kid, I've known him about 35 years and he does not smell! (Although I would think after a grease monkey session he must use soap, I don't pay that much attention!) Partly inspired by him I stopped using shampoo two years ago and my scalp is much healthier. My beard not so much I think because of the soap from my face never quite getting fully rinsed out without a bath/shower. Would staying clean without soap etc use less water though???

Also, having moved from the SE UK where tap water mostly comes from the limestone ground and is really hard to the far NW where it's rainwater and super soft, even putting the least recommended soap in the washing machine for instance still results in too many bubbles. You can get a modestly sized inline water softener for the washing machine feed if you have hard water, so I imagine you could use one as appropriate in a camper to minimise soap and therefore water use?

 

[Joe917]

to each his own

1. drastically reduces size of tanks needed for water, grey and black tanks. Less fuel cost to haul those full tanks around.
etc.)

If you had a composting toilet you would not have a black water tank and you would not need to flush water down the toilet. The water from one toilet flush is enough for a quick wash.

 

[Coachgeo]

If you had a composting toilet you would not have a black water tank ....

for future reference, that is NOT true. Kitchen sink affluent is considered black for food particles in that water can grow harmful bacteria. Older RV's grey and kitchen was mixed. That is changing..... in both homes and RV's kitchen more often now go to the black system.

 

[Joe917]

for future reference, that is NOT true. Kitchen sink affluent is considered black for food particles in that water can grow harmful bacteria. Older RV's grey and kitchen was mixed. That is changing..... in both homes and RV's kitchen more often now go to the black system.

OK, then you don't need a toilet waste tank. Rename your gray tank the "black water" tank and your done. You still save water.

 

[Coachgeo]

OK, then you don't need a toilet waste tank. Rename your gray tank the "black water" tank and your done. You still save water.

in theory yes.. in practicality don't limit yourself with that name or you legally cut off your own legs. As in one can recycle "grey water" with the right system (UV light and filters) and use that for shower and cloths washing saving even more water. You can't legally (not so much "laws" but due to "regulations") recycle anything considered "black" and one shouldn't anyway for health reasons. Even though it is more physical tanks..... one would save water if they go with following tank combo... Grey, NON-potable water (holds recycled grey), Potable water (drinking and cooking healthy), Black (kitchen) and urine. Some of these tanks may only be a gallon (urine) few gallons like grey though that matters size of non potable tank, and how you dump extra (mist off extra onto/into exhaust turing it to biologically inert steam.. , or hold all in tank and dump later)

Side note.... while one could steam off urine as well...... apparently it also makes for good HHO production

 

[Coachgeo]

sounds like good idea. Recycle ALL wastewater, disposing only poopdust.

and black water (kitchen sink)