[jyl]

It has been very hot and dry in Portland. Record breaking. We have plenty of water, but our water rates are high enough that watering the plants a lot still generates a stiff bill. Plus the drought on the west coast had made me more conscious of saving water.

So I've started keeping a big steel workbowl in the kitchen sink. When it is full, if the water is not too soapy or dirty, I take ten steps and dump it on the garden or in the potted plants. Wow, I didn't realize how much basically clean water I send down the drain while cooking. At every meal I send five to ten gallons to the backyard plants, and they've never looked happier. This makes me think about how to capture gray water for the yard. If we also diverted the shower water to irrigation, I'd almost not need to use the drip system or the sprinkler. We don't water the lawn, just the garden and plants.

Anyone use gray water at home?. What is your system?. How much water do you save?