10 HOMEMADE WAYS TO REUSE WATER - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The home forms of reuse water are techniques that are used in domestic environments to exploit to the maximum the liquid is consumed. Among them are taking advantage of that used for cooking food or washing clothes. Likewise, you can reuse water from scrubbing the floor, gray water and that from air conditioners.

In this sense, the reuse of water is a practice that has been expanding more and more worldwide. This is due to the fact that on the planet only 2.5% of the water is fresh and of this more than half is not available for consumption.

Use of gray water. Source: David Shankbone

It is estimated that more than a billion people currently live in areas where water is a scarce resource. In addition, it is projected that by 2025 this situation could affect at least 3.5 billion people.

In some countries, particularly in the North Africa and Middle East region, this situation is quite serious. Therefore, practices that allow the use of this resource should be promoted.

Within these measures the basic thing is the rational use of this resource, maximizing the efficiency in its use. In this context reusing water contributes to planetary ecology.

The water used, either for direct consumption or in different domestic and industrial processes, undergoes transformations that restrict its subsequent use. However, it is possible to take advantage of it in different ways.

Main homemade ways to reuse water

Irrigation water

It is very common to grow plants at home, either ornamental, food or medicinal; and these require water. For efficient use of irrigation water, the first thing is that the substrate in the pots has the adequate moisture retention capacity.

However, some of the water will seep out of the bottom holes in the pot. In order to take advantage of it, trays or plates can be placed underneath and later used for new irrigations.

Water used in cooking food

Cooking water. Source: Afrank99

The water in which certain foods are cooked is often discarded, for example when preparing pasta or cooking vegetables, vegetables, roots and tubers. However, this water contains nutrients that are released in the process, such as starches and vitamins.

Vegetable cooking water is rich in vitamins and minerals and can be reused in various ways. Thus, for example, you can make broths with it, or prepare other foods such as rice, pasta or sauces.

On the other hand, the water obtained from cooking pasta has a high starch content. Therefore, it can be used to make bread, sauces or put legumes to soak.

Other uses that can be given to the cooking water of the pasta is to mix it with shampoo as a hair treatment. Also, this warm water can be used to treat swollen feet.

Similarly, the cooking water can be used to give water to domestic animals or to water plants.

Shower water

The average consumption of water during the daily bath is between 30 and 40 liters per person. In addition, when hot water is used the first 5 to 10 liters are lost while the proper temperature is reached.

This water can be collected in containers to be reused at home in various functions such as washing dishes or watering plants. Likewise, systems have been developed such as special plastic bags that are hung from the shower tap in order to collect all this water.

On the other hand, there are systems that are placed on the shower floor and have the capacity to collect up to 90% of the water used. Later, this can be used in the watering of the garden or in the toilet.

Waste water from laundry

In the process of washing clothes, either by hand or in a washing machine, a lot of water is used that ends up in the drain. In the case of washing machines, for every kilo, up to nine liters of liter are used in each wash.

To collect the washing water, a pipe can be installed that connects the drain of the washing machine with a storage tank. Later, the stored water can be used for different purposes at home.

One of the uses that it can be given is to wash the car or also clean the floors of the garage or the patio. Similarly, the stored water from washing can be used for the toilet drain.

On the other hand, if it only contains ecological soap, it can be used for irrigation. Also, this soapy water can be used to control some pests in the garden such as aphids that attack the leaves.

Water from scrubbing the floor

If a proper schedule for cleaning the floors of the home is maintained, the water in which the mop or mop is washed will only be somewhat dirty. This water can be reused for the toilet and even for watering ornamental plants.

Water from air conditioners

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers extract water from the environment, which in practice undergoes a distillation process. However, it cannot be used for human consumption because it lacks the necessary mineral elements.

However, this water can be reused for various purposes such as filling the car's windshield washer tank, washing or ironing clothes or washing dishes. Also, this liquid is suitable to be used in irrigation.

Rain water

Use of rainwater. Source: Benoit Rochon

Rainwater has been used by humans since ancient times. Thus, systems developed by civilizations for more than 3,000 years are known to use rainfall for human consumption and agriculture.

Currently there are proposals to capture and store rainwater that are promoted by global organizations such as FAO (United Nations Food Organization).

In many cases, these systems mainly take advantage of the water that falls from the roofs and that can be collected in storage tanks. Later, these tanks are connected to the pipes of the houses to give them different uses.

For example, there is an experience carried out in the Community of Madrid (Spain) where rainwater is captured from the roofs of the house. This is stored, and the system is capable of supplying 29% of the total consumption in the year of a family of four.

This system makes more efficient use of water and also lowers the costs of paying for this service.

Aquarium and pet bath water

Aquarium water. Source: Gustavo Sivila

Many people have pets at home, which require periodic bathing. This water can be reused. Thus, when bathing a dog in a bathtub, we can recover the liquid and use it for irrigation or for the toilet. In the case of irrigation, its use is only advisable if natural bath products were used, without chemical additives.

When you have an aquarium at home, you should do a periodic change of water to keep the fish healthy. The replacement water is considered excellent for watering plants, as it is chlorine free and contains elements such as nitrates and phosphates.

In addition, in the discarded water of the fish tanks there are microelements and various organic substances that can function as fertilizer for plants.

However, care must be taken if any medicine required by fish has been applied, such as fungicides. Fungicides can affect soil fungi that can be beneficial for plant development.

Gray water systems

Use of gray water for irrigation. Source: SuSanA Secretariat

Various systems have been designed for the reuse of greywater (those from washing, dishwashers, shower drains or kitchen sinks). Most of this liquid comes from washing, showering and laundry, and generally contains biodegradable soaps.

Toilets are considered to account for approximately 12% of the water consumed daily at home. Therefore, reusing gray water in it can considerably reduce the consumption of drinking water in the home.

Gray water use systems can save 16 to 40% of the consumption of drinking water in a house. They are installed by placing collector pipes in the drains of the wash, shower, bathtub, laundry room and sink.

These pipes can be connected directly to the toilet tank and in this way take advantage of the water for this purpose. In addition, gray water can also be used to water the garden.

Water purification system

Normally, sewage purification systems are used on a large scale for the treatment of wastewater from cities or industries. However, domestic systems can be installed to expand the options for reusing the liquid.

These systems vary in complexity and scope, as some only filter separating coarse solutes like sand and other solids. Others include settling systems that separate fats, oils, and other floating fluids.

In some more complex cases, purification systems can remove heavy metals contained in the water.

References

1. Bermejo-Arnaldos DD (2012) Reuse of domestic wastewater. Study and comparison of building typologies natural treatment plants as a sustainable alternative. Final Master's Project, Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism. University of Alicante, Higher Polytechnic School. 140 p.
2. Huerta G, ED Jimenez-Tellez and ZE Prado-Rodríguez (2011) Automatic rainwater and gray water recovery system. Thesis Engineer in Communications and Electronics. National Polytechnic Institute, Higher School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. 74 p.
3. Jimenez B and T Asano (2008). Water reuse. An international survey of current practice, issues and needs. Scientific and Technical Report No. 20. IWA Publishing, London, UK. 650 p.
4. Kestler PJ (2004) Use, reuse and recycling of wastewater in a home. Bachelor thesis. Rafael Landivar University, Faculty of Engineering, School of Administrative Civil Engineering. Guatemala. 64 p.
5. LazarovaV, S. Hills and R. Birks (2003) Using recycled water for non-potable, urban uses: a review with particular reference to toilet flushing. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply 3: 69–77.