How to recycle shower water

A simple basin or a small bucket may be enough to recycle water of shower. And that's not a small thing. Considering that the shower has now completely replaced the bathtub in our daily habits.

Recycling shower water can be done through different methods, including the use of specific water recovery devices. Let's see how:

• A smart way to recycle shower water is to use a bucket or container to collect it while you wait for it to heat up. This way, you avoid wasting it needlessly and can use the collected water to water the garden or for other purposes;
• To reduce water consumption during the shower, you can adopt: some simple tips, such as reducing shower time or turning off the water while applying soap or shampoo;
• There are also shower water recovery systems that refilter and pump it back for reuse for domestic and other purposes. One such system is called RainStick, an innovative device that allows you to recycle shower water easily and efficiently. The device consists of a water collection tank, a filtration system, and a pump that returns the recycled water for reuse. RainStick's operation is very simple: the device connects to the shower hose and collects the water used while you shower. The water is then purified through a filtration system that removes soap, shampoo, and other contaminants. Once filtered, the water is stored in the collection tank and can be recirculated for use in watering the garden, washing the car, and much more. In short, an innovative solution that allows you to recycle. shower water efficiently and sustainably.

What can you do with shower water?

Reusing shower water is an eco-sustainable practice that reduces drinking water consumption and promotes optimal water resource management. There are several methods for reusing shower water, depending on the needs and possibilities of each home. Let's look at some examples:

• Once the bucket placed under the shower head is filled, the collected water can be used, for example, for water the gardenIt's important to filter water before using it for irrigation to avoid damaging plants with soap and shampoo residue. Filtering is, of course, only necessary when the water has been collected while bathing and therefore contains soap residue;
• Shower water can be used for wash the car;
• This water can be used to clean the house. It can be used, for example, to wash floors or kitchen or bathroom surfaces;
• Shower water can be used to wash pets, such as dogs and cats. It's important to filter the water before using it (if you recycle soapy water). to avoid damaging the skin and fur of animals;
• In some cases, shower water can be used to flush the toilet.

Toilet water recycling

Toilet water is called "black" because it contains fecal matter. Despite this, it can be recovered and reused only for specific purposes, such as garden irrigation. The recovery and treatment of black water occurs through an activated sludge system, with a purification phase, through primary sedimentation in an Imhoff tank, a device for treating wastewater in purification plants. This is followed by a subsequent phase of biological oxidation of the pre-treated waste. Finally, there is secondary sedimentation and UV disinfectionThe treated water can be used for filling toilet cisterns, irrigation, cleaning buildings or washing machine, but not for drinking purposes. The use of these systems can bring significant environmental benefits, as it allows for a reduction in drinking water consumption and a reduction in the amount of water discharged into the sewers. It is important to note that recycled toilet water It must be properly treated to ensure its safety and quality. Furthermore, the toilet water recycling system requires proper installation and regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning and prevent any problems.

Recycling washing machine water

If you want to recycle washing machine wastewater, there are two ways to do it. Let's see how:

• Washing machine waste water can be collected in a tank located near the appliance. Typically, this tank should be connected to the house plumbing, so that you can collect the waste water from the washing machine directly from the drain hose. The water collected in the tank should then be filtered to remove any impurities and chemicals. Only after this operation can it be used for irrigation. garden or washing exterior surfaces. Washing machine wastewater may contain traces of detergents and other chemicals, so it's important to use biodegradable and non-toxic soaps to avoid harming the environment. Additionally, the tank should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and other organisms that could compromise water quality.
• To clean washing machine wastewater, you can also use biological filtration systems (phytoremediation), which employ natural bacteria to remove pollutants. In practice, this involves installing an "artificial tank" in the ground, which must then be waterproofed. Inside the tank, a natural purification system is created that reproduces the self-purification principle typical of aquatic environments. In practice, the plants used create an ecosystem in which the bacterial flora responsible for the domestic wastewater purification.

How many liters of water does it take to take a shower?

from shower An average of 16 liters of water are used every minute. Therefore, if the shower lasts 5 minutes, 80 liters are consumed. This number tends to increase as the shower duration increases. A 15-minute shower can consume approximately 240 liters of water. In Italy, 200 liters of water per capita per day, if we also consider that used for food and non-food purposes. However, there are several ways to reduce this consumption. Let's see what they are:

• A smart way to reduce water consumption while showering is to install low-flow shower heads. These allow you to save water without compromising the quality of your shower. Low-flow shower heads save up to 50% of the water you typically use;
• Even correct behavior can help us save water while showering. For example, you can: turn off the tap while soaping up, to reopen it only when needed again. Furthermore, it is always advisable to set the hot water temperature to the minimum;
• We know that when you turn on the shower head, the water doesn't always come out hot right away. The water that initially comes out cold can be collected in a basin and recycled for other purposes, rather than wasted. Furthermore, it's clean water, which can be used to water plants. wash the dishes and for many other household uses.

Read also:

• Why water is so important in our lives
• What to do with dryer water
• How to know if tap water is safe