Why use tap water to flush toilet

[markymark2406]

I’ve always wondered why we use fresh tap water to flush the toilet, there must be a greeener way like using rain water ??

 

[stem]

There is, and some homes do have rainwater harvesting. The only problem is that most UK homes are packed into such tiny spaces that there isn't the space for a rainwater harvesting tank. An alternative would be to build new pumping stations and run a complete separate new water supply network feeding every home in the UK directly from the reservoirs. The cost would probably more than HS2 many times over....

 

[JP_]

There's an idea .... after i finish the new bathroom, I need to update the old WC.

I've always wondered the same. I have a couple of water butts but never water enough to empty them! They are obviously totally full from about september to may ....

http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/water/rainwater-toilet-flush-system/

I guess it should be relatively easy to DIY. Essentially 2 cisterns, one on the loo fed only with rainwater, one big one outside that supplies water too the toilet cistern, then has a mains water valve that opens when the rain water levels are low - you could have it always say 1/4 filled, so ready to refill the loo at all times.

 

[Alec_t]

I’ve always wondered why we use fresh tap water to flush the toilet, there must be a greeener way like using rain water ?

1) Your 'fresh tap water' probably is rainwater .... that was collected in a reservoir and then processed/pumped to your house .
2) It's a pity we don't have a system like the one in (parts of?) Australia, where there are two supply pipes to the houses: one for potable water and the other for grey water.

 

[JP_]

My rainwater goes down the sewer, at least, in half the house - extension had soakaway, but original gutter was not tilted toward it.
So it is all going to go down the drain either way!

 

[muggles]

Plenty of homes do have rainwater or grey water flushing, but it does add to installation costs of course. I've seen a couple of new build estates with communal attenuation ponds constructed to supply the entire estate with rainwater. The main issue is in ensuring it doesn't present a health hazard. Rainwater can also turn toilet internals green and slimy over time

 

[Bodd]

Australia do have this alot
In their front gardens they have potable and grey water supply's and meters.

Also I have fitted in the past combined basin and toilet units. The ones in Australia the hand washing water is used for flushing the toilet.

 

[JP_]

The ones in Australia the hand washing water is used for flushing the toilet.

Makes so much sense.

I've started re-reading Dune - I bet they do this on Arrakis too. Well, they probably don't wash much there...