HippocratesGarden
Active member
This is a rather powerful phrase; "Clean enough for the intended use".
We know we don't need to use fully treated, potable water to wash the car, or water the garden, but a utility has to treat every drop because it never knows which drop will be used for what. One gallon may wash greasy cloths, but the next may be used to mix formula for an immune-compromised infant, and because the utility has such a vast and varied customer base, every drop must (or should be) clean, or "safe" enough for the "highest" possible use.
However, on our homestead, we know who will be using the water, how they will be using the water, and if everyone is healthy or immune-compromised. If we are building out the system, we, unlike the utility, can build in taps so that raw rainwater can be used to water the garden, maybe one filter used for car washing, another for cloths washing and showers, and the toilet, and the final and best filtering/UV for potable use. By doing this, each is matched to the intended use, and filters last longer since not every single drop has to go through all the filters.
It's not evil of the utilities, it's just the nature of the system, and they can't afford (and we don't want to pay) for multiple water lines; potable and not potable, or requiring every house or apartment to have additional filters. But for our systems, it should be common practice.
Now, all this also has to be bounced off State and local laws and regulations. So, this is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do your own research.
We know we don't need to use fully treated, potable water to wash the car, or water the garden, but a utility has to treat every drop because it never knows which drop will be used for what. One gallon may wash greasy cloths, but the next may be used to mix formula for an immune-compromised infant, and because the utility has such a vast and varied customer base, every drop must (or should be) clean, or "safe" enough for the "highest" possible use.
However, on our homestead, we know who will be using the water, how they will be using the water, and if everyone is healthy or immune-compromised. If we are building out the system, we, unlike the utility, can build in taps so that raw rainwater can be used to water the garden, maybe one filter used for car washing, another for cloths washing and showers, and the toilet, and the final and best filtering/UV for potable use. By doing this, each is matched to the intended use, and filters last longer since not every single drop has to go through all the filters.
It's not evil of the utilities, it's just the nature of the system, and they can't afford (and we don't want to pay) for multiple water lines; potable and not potable, or requiring every house or apartment to have additional filters. But for our systems, it should be common practice.
Now, all this also has to be bounced off State and local laws and regulations. So, this is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do your own research.
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