Use Rainwater and Greywater to Conserve, Save

With supplies of fresh water from surface and groundwater sources dwindling, many people are looking for ways to save water when it comes to irrigating their lawns and gardens. Like many of our grandparents, they are collecting rainwater in cisterns or rain barrels and redirecting the greywater from sinks, washing machines and showers to the garden.

The water commonly used to irrigate the yard is the same stuff we pour over ice in our kitchen. It has been treated to potable standards, which really isn’t necessary for the grass and plants.

Rain on dry days

If it’s not rainy season or if you just want to get some water to that thirsty lawn and drying plants, one of the best ways to do that is to put a hose to the rainwater you’ve harvested from your roof in a rain barrel. Rainwater harvesting is common through most of the world, but it’s gaining popularity in the US these days.

“We call it ‘the movement that’s taking the nation by storm,’” said Robyn Hadley, spokeswoman for the Austin, Texas-based American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association in an interview at the website AlterNet.

Rainwater is a plant’s natural friend, so when it comes to irrigating with it, there is little to fear. What falls from the sky to your roof to your rain barrel or cistern is the perfect drink for your plantings.

Though graywater is a great water conservation measure, there are somethings you should consider before using it.

Water carefully with greywaterThe water that drains from your sinks, showers and even your washing machine contains phosphates, nitrogen and even some pathogens, so irrigate carefully and you’ll have another viable choice when it comes to watering the lawn and garden.

Keep in mind:

Marsha Duttle, an extension research assistant at New Mexico State University, suggests the following rules will turn greywater into green plants:

• Make sure the greywater goes into the soil and that it isn’t sprayed onto the upper portions of the plant.
• Don’t use the greywater on vegetables that will be eaten raw.
• If you have plants that thrive in acid soil, put the alkaline greywater to use elsewhere.
• Don’t use the greywater on plants until they are well established.
• Make sure you alternate the greywater with your fresh rainwater to avoid the buildup of salt on your plants.

You can cut water consumption at your home by half if you look for alternative sources. The easiest and most effective options are greywater and harvested rainwater, but check with your local extension service and your homeowners association before trying these methods as some municipalities have health ordinances banning the use of greywater and HOAs sometimes ban visible cisterns (but you can easily blend rainbarrels into your landscaping.)