WaterSaver Technologies Aqus Uses Sink Greywater for Toilet
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 10. 7.06
The Aqus(TM) is the epitomy of American ingenuity. Bothered from a young age by the tragic waste of water flowing down the sink drain, Mark Sanders repeatedly dreamed of a system to collect that water and reuse it. Dreams led to sketches, which led to the hot-glue gun of home remodeler Matt Ridge, who created a prototype to store the greywater from the sink for reuse when toilet flushing. The idea caught the attention of investors, and won the Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund Award, on its way to its public debut at the American Water Works Association’s 2006 Water Sources Conference and Exposition. Nice to see that the device passed the introduction to professionals before appearing at West Coast Green, presumably to a less technically critical audience. Our own Nick Aster met the WaterSaver folks at West Coast Green, where the brochures for this interesting, potentially D-I-Y, product were walking out faster than they could keep reprinting them.
The Aqua catches the water flowing down your sink drain, filters and disinfects it, and stores it ready for the next toilet flush. It is designed to be easily retrofit into existing fixtures and boasts low maintenance. Gravity and a small electric pump transport the water from the 5.5 gallon (21 L) holding tank installed under the sink. A device in the toilet tank prevents fresh water inflow as long as sufficient water is available in the Aqus to do the job; in case the Aqus runs low, the normal toilet valve for incoming water will serve the demand. Unfortunately, this mechanism is not yet developed to the point where it can work with two-flush systems designed to reduce water use at the toilet. Most TreeHuggers will wrestle with another demon in this system: the disinfection system is chlorine based, relying on three tablets that must be replaced during the annual maintenance and filter cleaning. The disinfection is essential to protect pets drinking the toilet water and probably benefits human health as well. Since most public water systems are chlorinated in the process of ensuring safe drinking water, this is probably a small price to pay to reduce household water discharge to the sewer by 25 - 40%. If you discharge to a septic field or potentially sensitive environments, you should talk to the WaterSaver Technologies experts when making your decision about an Aqus.
The system retails for about $200, and has a lifespan of 10-12 years, with a payback of about 4 years, depending on local water and sewage costs. The Aqus system is patented; the UPC product listing of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the UL seal of approval are pending. The system has been tested in households in Colorado, Kentucky and New Mexico and proven itself market ready. If used by every household, this could represent a savings of 4.8 billion gallons of water flushed down U.S. toilets each day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. Sanders said WaterSavers also plans to design systems for shower and tub, complete in-home systems, and systems to serve multi-family and other commercial structures. The primary market will be home building professionals, but the company will also sell the units over their website WaterSaver Technologies.
Product Specifications:
- Reservoir Size: 13 1⁄2 x 15 1⁄2 x 8 inches
- Volume: 5 1⁄2 gallons
- Electrical Low voltage 12V DC
- Fill control unit patent #6,276,005
- Requires minimum 1.6 gallon toilet tank with ball cock
- Tubing 3/8 inch
- Pump 12V DC centrifugal submersible
- Average flow rate: 1.6 gallon per 72 seconds
- Suggested Retail $195.00
I have been waiting to see this implemented in the U.S. for years . I lived in Japn about 7 years ago , most apartments I visited , including my own and even porta pottys , on construction sites use this idea . Definitely not new but glad to see some water saving ideas hit the Mainland . The other great thing all toilets I experianced , was the option for dual flush , light flush for liquid , larger amount for solids . Imagine if we upgraded our antiquated building codes in America , how much resources we could save for future generations , and other inhabitants of this planet . Thanks I dig this site , SeanO.
Was about to say. I'd heard about this being done in Japan many years ago through Whole Earth Magazine.
In some 3rd world contries the sink is positioned directly above (and sometimes is attached to) the toilet tank, which accomplished much the same thing, with out the electric pump (and the associated energy use, extra wiring, and potential to malfunction).
Of course, it doesn't filter and treat the water. Needless to say any time you have a filter, you have a filter that needs occasional replacing.
However, if the water is filtered and threated mostly for the protection of pets, perhaps that is a lot of trouble to go to for a cause that isn't a good one in the first place. After all, pets drinking from toilets isn't in the best health interests of either pets or humans (especially if your pet tends to lick your face).
what ever happened to to old axium
"if it's yellow, let it mellow;
if it's brown, flush it down"?
Dual flush toilets have been here in Australia for as long as i can remember. after having been in the US for a couple of years i did not find a duel flush anywhere. i was amazed......
"In the land of fun and sun, we never flush for number one." Island motto.
Hmmm. The sink atop toilet tank idea has piqued my interest. Not sure that I fully understand the filtering concerns. As to filtering water for pets, I'm thinking...toilet seat down! No need to train your pets, just your sons/husbands. Why else would you need to filter the sink gray water? If you are using it for normal face/hand washing and teeth brushing, and using biodegradeable products, wouldn't it be okay? Why would you need some kind of chlorine? Afterall, if you use your toilet regularly, wouldn't the small bit of debris that would be mixed with the gray water be flushed through quickly enough anyway to be a problem? (Perhaps just a scrim to filter large particles of debris.)
It is nice to see an "invention" or re-invention as the case may be getting the attention it deserves in the US, an environment of discard. Nice to see some smart re-use being employed.
My concerns though are that the sink doesn't create the required demands for low occupancy households (I for one live alone). It would have been great to see this taken a step further using grey water from the shower instead.
Cheers
This contracption won't work for the simple reason that a hand basin in a toilet doesn't produce enough "waste" water to flush a toilet with. You could of course use more water to wash your hands but that seems counter productive.
I have a water recycling system installed which consists of four 120 liter tanks installed outside. Waste water from the shower and washing machine if fed into these tanks where the water is treated. Believe me, treatment is nessesary because that water starts to smell if you fail to treat it. The water production of the shower and washingmachine is just enough to "power" two toilets plus a bit of watering the plants in the garden.
The device proposed here is a waste of resources and no more than a "green" token. However the idea of a washing basin on top of a toilet is brilliant but I believe that is more out of space saving and economic use of plumming fittings.
Leaves me to say: Really! Don't Americans have half and full flush buttons on their toilets! Shame on you. Do you people do anything at all to preserve resources?
I was thinking particularly about the space saving with the added benefit of gray water use. Yes, you could simply turn your sink tap on to fill the toilet tank to its proper level before operating the toilet. No different water than traditional toilet filling tank. Mind you, such a toilet would be for those of us who do not mind the extra work or inconvenience that comes with non-traditional living.
One problem with actually using this great technology, and this is a problem faced by lots of greener technologies for the home (such as living roofs), is that building codes have not caught up with the technology. Therefore, if you install this, you're likely to be in violation of your local building codes unless you get a variance.
If you do not get a variance when you install it, which takes a lot of paperwork and headache, when you go to sell your home you'll have to deal with it then unless you have an understanding buyer.
Unfortunately, building codes change slower than molasses pours, and I don't know what we can do about that.
I have found it simpler to put a large fruit bowl in the bathroom sink, and pour the water into the tank when the bowl is full. I have turned off the water flow to the tank and only use sink water for the toilet. The cost was seventy cents for the bowl. No installation or code problems.
There's a simple solution to most people's complaints about the lack of water. Make it use the waste water at first, and then when it runs out, have it open a valve to fill the tank the rest of the way with fresh water. It's not 100% green, but it works.
re sink on top of toilet..
I would prefer this method
There would be enough water to flush provided we were not obsessed with flushing everytime and used the previouisly metioned phrase 'if its yellow...' which I encountered in Zimbabwe.
Sadly this product does not seem available to me in the UK
I contacted 4 major toilet providers..only one replied and that was an automated reply.
Finally I did set up a system recently where all my sink water from upstairs and rain water from back of house got directed to the toilet cistern downstairs (purely by graviity)
It was easy to do. I also fitted a non return valve to mains supply in case any inspector got edgy about contamination issues. The next step was going to be actually storing several flushes worth in a tank above the cistern and figuring out exactly how to have the mains feed competing (I had merely turned it off). I had also considered an escape route for any recycled water to overflow incase there was more than required.
I abandoned the project for sake of my marriage as it is a little distressing for others to see waste water pipes coming INTO the building and possibly lowering the value of the property.
I have her support though in looking for a suitable official product and she let me install a water butt outside
Does anyone know of an Australian manufacturer / supplier of these or similar products?
Hi i am Kathryn Gray. I am in 6th grade and i am doing a science fair project on grey water. Do you think you could email me some info on it? Thanks alot.
earthships have been using this technology for years, except their filtration is full of plants. banana trees love greywater!
earthships have been using this technology for years, except their filtration is full of plants. banana trees love greywater!
Another greywater recycling product is the Brac Greywater Recycling System from Southern Energy Solutions of Marietta, Georgia, United States. www.soenso.com
The first Brac Greywater Recycling System has been installed and placed into operation in the city of Atlanta. By reusing greywater(bath/shower/laundry water) for toilet fushing, it can save the homeowner 30% or more on potable water usage.
More info:
"Turning Grey Into Green: Greywater Recycling Systems"
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/23971
Southern Energy Solutions:
www.soenso.com
how about a RO water filter system under the kitchen sink, that some of that water is being wasted into the sewer system and could go to a garden drip system.
laundry water into a 32 gallon trash bucket and then to your garden from a garden hose secured to the bottom of trash bucket.
what about a whole house water filter system that has a back flush device that can water the garden.
A few people have said they would prefer a toilet lid sink. We just got on from Gaiam. The same product is sold other places too. It's really easy to attach. Not a complete space saver because you still use a regular sink for teeth brushing because this one only flows when you flush the toilet. The best part about it is that now my 4-year old always washes his hands.
This is a fantastic idea, especially if they could use it with the double flush system. It would also be nice if they could find a way to collect water when I wash my car. I'm sure that would cover a number of flushes for my toilet :-)
Hi,
This might seem like a strange question but does anyone know any other sayings about water conservation like the 2 listed above:
"if it's yellow, let it mellow;
if it's brown, flush it down"?
"In the land of fun and sun, we never flush for number one." Island motto
Just call me curious,f
The Southern Energy Solutions tank looks great. There are only two in my household but even still...
And for those who say, why not just not flush when you pee? Why can't we do both? I don't see why I can't reuse greywater when I DO flush.
After reading all of these comments I am left wondering about something. I can only think that a household where folks don't reliably wash their hands in the bathroom would have trouble filling the tank. I teach my little ones to wash their hands before and after eating, after markers (to remove the marker stains), after painting, after petting the animals, and when we come home from being out. If the intent of washing hands is to remove bacteria or other things that one doesn't want to get on their body or in their food then surely there will be quite a bit of water in the tank. Regardless of this the article does state that if there isn't enough water in the tank then water is pulled from the water supply.
I understand the comments about having two different types of flush available on toilets. Unfortunately people aren't often open to change and often don't realize the true expense of something before installing it. I think toilets are a good example of this. At this time there are two standard toilets on sale at the home store for under $70 each. When these are installed, they will have only one type of "full" flush and will store a lot of water in their tanks. We don't have a water rating system in the US. It would be helpful to have one so people can truly understand what a specfic toilet will cost them incrementally down the road. This would go along way toward convincing people to change to toilets that might be more expensive initially, but are better at saving water and money over time.
Please don't be so hard on the US. Every country has it's own social hurdles where change seems to be immensely slow. In the US, energy and saving water are handled at turtle speed.
Does anyone out there know why the grey water system does not work with dual flush toilets?