Rain water collected for toilets only???

[abunaitoo]

Has anyone collected rain water for flushing the toilet only???
I was think a 55gal barrel, at the bottom of the rain gutter down spout, could collect the water.
It rains just about every night here.
An on-demand pump could pump the water to the toilet through a line.
I would install a three way valve just in case the barrel ran empty.
Sounds like it would work.
Save lots of water.

 

[jamesjohntall]

A 55-gal barrel should give you a decent reserve, especially if it rains frequently. Just make sure to include a basic filter to keep debris out and prevent clogs in the pump or toilet valve. An on demand pump with a pressure switch would work well, and the three-way valve is a great backup for when the barrel runs low. You might also want an overflow system so excess rainwater doesn’t pool around the foundation. Definitely a smart way to cut down on water usage.

 

[bud16415]

I don’t know but assume you pay for your water. We pay for our water and sewer and our sewer rate is based on water usage. I asked about adding a well to my property as it once had one before switching over to city water and sewer for gardening and filling my hot tub etc. I checked with the water authority just to make sure and they said absolutely not. If I came up with a different source they would shut me off. Seems they know people would be doing things like this.



So now when I drain my hot tub 450 gallons I send it down the sewer line and they can deal with it. They will sell water cheaper for people with pools but they have a minimum 1000 gallon.



Before you do the rain barrels I would ask around.

 

[Snoonyb]

A pail solves 3 thing, gets you off your butt, walking is thought to be exercise, no elec. consumed.

 

[billshack]

Has anyone collected rain water for flushing the toilet only???
I was think a 55gal barrel, at the bottom of the rain gutter down spout, could collect the water.
It rains just about every night here.
An on-demand pump could pump the water to the toilet through a line.
I would install a three way valve just in case the barrel ran empty.
Sounds like it would work.
Save lots of water.

My mother used to have two rain barrels like that to water the garden ect. The trouble was that mosquitos would lay their eggs in the water. during summer you could see the larvae swimming around. not so good for all the new disease mosquitoes

 

[PJB12]

That's a great idea Abuanitoo!

Long ago I installed circuits in an industrial facility to put pumps to allow rain water to be used to supply toilets, wall hydrants and landscape watering. The roof sumps also drained into the collectors which were plastic tanks like those one sees on the back of lawn spraying trucks. I was interested and studied and asked lots of questions.

The tanks were sealed against insects and had valves that let air in as the water was being pumped out. I don't remember if they had screens to filter debris. The pumps were indoors.

The pumps sent the water to a well tank which was pressurized by the pump, just as a well would be. The pressure switch on the well tank would activate pumps to send more water into the well tank.

One thing that was required was a dual check atmospheric valve on the back-up supply (city water). In that installation it was a Watts 9D.

I've been back to do other projects at the facility and the company plumbing department leader told me the system works great and saved them lots of money. They have a meter on the backup water supply. The guy told me it only uses backup water when they are using heavily, such as washing the building or trucks.

Once a year they drain the tanks and clean inside, but don't find any growth. Since then they've added the water from the water cooled condensing units on the refrigeration. It used to go to the sewer.

Hope the project is a fun one!
Paul