EDITOR – Why are most of us still using up to six litres of potable (drinkable) water every time we use the toilet? Isn’t it better to use grey water for flushing the loo, for example we use the dishwater, having wiped greasy dishes first with disposable paper before washing them.
Other sources of grey water are the used water from the washing machine, which can be “plumbed” or “replumbed” in such a way that the used water goes into the bath and can be scooped out into a bucket or directly into the toilet.
The water from our baths can also be used. We find that there are liquid soaps that don’t form “scum” round the bath and this way bath water can then also be used for flushing the toilet. We know that the ideal would be for our hand washing water to run directly into the toilet cistern, but the alternative is to have basins in sinks and then empty them into the toilet as required. We add some drops of bleach or disinfectant and use air freshener sprays.
Forty years ago a member of Earthlife in England said that water-borne sewerage was a problem and would lead to further problems in the future. She said the earth closets should have been maintained and modified for modern use as much as possible. That should make us think how much more this country needs to reduce its reliance on water. Please will anyone who knows about waste water management assist us in understanding whether we are on the right track?
RN Stapersma
Bellair
*Letter shortened – Editor
