Graywater Recycling: Rethinking Bathroom Design

Imagine a simple design change that could save between 3,650 and 7,300 gallons of fresh water every year in your household alone. That’s the average quantity of water that goes down your bathroom sink’s drain annually. A graywater system, in which waste water is filtered and then reused for the toilet, can save these gallons from being wasted.

Graywater bathroom fixtures are no longer hard to find, but they still tend to focus more on function than on form. There are adapter kits that can change a standard plumbing arrangement and connect the sink to the toilet, but these can be clunky affairs.

However, now there are options that combine style with green features. Integrated toilet and sink fixtures (like the unit pictured above from Spanish manufacturer Roca) are a nice streamlined effort, albeit at a steep price. An automatic cleaning system prevents bad odors and bacteria, while a specialized tap controls the water’s temperature and flow for maximum energy savings.

As these options come down in price and become more available, they’ll make it that much easier for consumers to  green their homes without having to settle for a product they find unappealing. As more green products enter the market, choice will give all consumers more incentive to go green.