ᐅ Can rainwater from a cistern also be used for laundry and toilet flushing?
Created on: 29 Apr 2020 08:09
A
Andreas94
Hello everyone,
we are currently in the planning phase of our new build.
We also want to include a cistern to use rainwater for garden irrigation.
Now we're wondering if the rainwater can also be used for other purposes,
for example, toilet flushing or laundry.
The water collected from the roof will be filtered through several screens to keep it clean.
Our question is whether this makes sense or if there are any experiences with this.
Of course, we hope to save costs over the years on rainwater disposal, water supply, and so on.
The cistern will have a capacity of about 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons).
We would appreciate your experiences or opinions.
Best regards, Andreas94
we are currently in the planning phase of our new build.
We also want to include a cistern to use rainwater for garden irrigation.
Now we're wondering if the rainwater can also be used for other purposes,
for example, toilet flushing or laundry.
The water collected from the roof will be filtered through several screens to keep it clean.
Our question is whether this makes sense or if there are any experiences with this.
Of course, we hope to save costs over the years on rainwater disposal, water supply, and so on.
The cistern will have a capacity of about 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons).
We would appreciate your experiences or opinions.
Best regards, Andreas94
A
Andreas9430 Apr 2020 08:24Thank you for the responses.
The financial aspect should, of course, be considered to avoid a significant loss.
Since we have rather hard, calcareous water in our area, there will also be limescale deposits. Therefore, I’m quite relaxed about the deposits when using water from the cistern.
The pipes for, for example, the toilet and washing machine don’t need to be installed twice, right? I think this could be managed with a switching valve in a central unit.
How long 15,000 liters (4,000 gallons) will last is, of course, unknown. But in summer it should be sufficient for the garden, and in winter possibly adequate for laundry.
The financial aspect should, of course, be considered to avoid a significant loss.
Since we have rather hard, calcareous water in our area, there will also be limescale deposits. Therefore, I’m quite relaxed about the deposits when using water from the cistern.
The pipes for, for example, the toilet and washing machine don’t need to be installed twice, right? I think this could be managed with a switching valve in a central unit.
How long 15,000 liters (4,000 gallons) will last is, of course, unknown. But in summer it should be sufficient for the garden, and in winter possibly adequate for laundry.
N
nordanney30 Apr 2020 10:31Andreas94 schrieb:
The pipe for, for example, the toilet and washing machine doesn’t need to be installed twice, right?
I think you can manage this with a central diverter valve. No, you need two separate pipes. Drinking water and garden water must never mix in the same pipe.
Is that really the case? It makes sense to me that no rainwater should enter the pipes connected to faucets, showers, or bathtubs. But if, during times of low rainfall, I can direct fresh water into the cistern—which only supplies toilets, garden irrigation, and possibly the washing machine—that shouldn’t cause any problems. After all, no rainwater enters the fresh water line, right?
Am I mistaken? It's the same for us. When the cistern is empty, I top it up with fresh water. For the washing machine, I have a separate line where I can connect the suction hose.
Please clarify. I’m just curious. Maybe I’m thinking about it the wrong way.
Am I mistaken? It's the same for us. When the cistern is empty, I top it up with fresh water. For the washing machine, I have a separate line where I can connect the suction hose.
Please clarify. I’m just curious. Maybe I’m thinking about it the wrong way.
N
nordanney30 Apr 2020 11:10Ibdk14 schrieb:
Am I mistaken? That’s exactly how it is for us. Yes, you must NEVER use any other water in pipes intended for drinking water—regardless of whether it comes from a well, a cistern, or any other source. Two separate pipes are mandatory.
Ibdk14 schrieb:
But if I can feed fresh water—when there is a lack of rain—into the cistern, which only supplies the toilets, garden irrigation, and possibly the washing machine, that shouldn’t cause any problems. No rainwater flows into the drinking water pipe anyway—how would that happen? So, you never have drinking water going to the toilet? If you do, water could mix—and that is prohibited. How is it ensured at the main connection that water from the different pipes cannot mix?
Ibdk14 schrieb:
I have a separate pipe for the washing machine, where I can connect the suction hose. A separate pipe from the cistern? That’s how it’s supposed to be.
No, we don’t have a fresh water supply line for the toilets and urinals. Everything is supplied from the cistern. I just have to refill it with fresh water when it’s empty.
The other way around isn’t possible for us, which makes sense and I understand. Nobody really drinks water from the toilet anyway.
Drinking water is only available at the other fixtures—showers, bathtubs, bidets, washbasins, and the kitchen sink. I can’t use rainwater there, even if I wanted to—and of course, I don’t want to.
The other way around isn’t possible for us, which makes sense and I understand. Nobody really drinks water from the toilet anyway.
Drinking water is only available at the other fixtures—showers, bathtubs, bidets, washbasins, and the kitchen sink. I can’t use rainwater there, even if I wanted to—and of course, I don’t want to.
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