Superb Idea: A Toilet that Uses Runoff Water from Your Sink
- Posted by: Casey Caplowe
- on January 31, 2009 at 11:10 am
The toilet has been around for quite a long time without a major innovation—mostly because it’s so simple and works so well. However, as we become ever more conscious of our water consumption, our gallon-devouring commodes leave something to be desired. Enter the creative folks over at Water Saver technologies. They’ve developed a the AQUS System— a simple way to capture the water from your sink’s drain, do some basic filtering, and then run it into your toilet.
You wouldn’t want your dog drinking this water, but otherwise it’s totally safe and does the job perfectly. Considering an average American family of four flushes 100 gallons per day down their toilet’s drain, the savings on our public water systems could be immense. And for all the talk of graywater solutions to reduce our water consumption, this is one of the most well integrated ones I’ve ever seen.
How it works:
1. Lavatory tubing
2. 12-Volt pump
3. Screen to filter out larger particles like hair and toothpaste
4. Disinfecting tablet dispenser
5. 5.5 Gallon Resevoir
6. 3/8″ hose and wire
7. Fill Valve
8. Water control unit delivers the treated, used water as primary source of toilet’s flush
9. Patented toilet bolts allow reused water to enter from the bottom of the toilet tank
And for a more interactive exploration of the function, check out the AQUS website.
DISCUSSION: 20 Comments
great and simple idea! lets make it works globally. felicitaciones!
Please let us make this a widespread reality. So smart!
So GOOD!
japan has been doing this in their houses for years
http://dvice.com/archives/2007/03/toilet_with_builtin_sink_do_yo.phphttp://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/wash_your_hands.php
Why couldn’t you just put a mini handwashing sink in the top of the toilet? Then all the water from just cleaning/disinfecting would go right into the tank.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! Kind of a strange thing to say about a toilet, but it is. Of course, something like this will take ages to catch on, as do all good ideas. I fully agree with…anonymous (there are too many of you, there really are. Dream up a name; it isn’t hard) that this should become a definite widespread reality. Think of how much water we’d save if every family in say, just the U.S. (that could afford it) upgraded to the AQUS system. We’d be absolutely swimming in recycled water (weird pun, I know).
Nice idea, but what is actually “saved” when you need to install1) another 12v pump to move the water from point A to point B2) a filter that will eventually need changing AND3) disinfectant tablet dispenser (what goes into making said tablets?)not to mention the loss of under sink storage space that every home that uses this system will lose. where are you supposed to keep the TP?
In New Zealand all their toilets have two flush buttons–one for a half flush, one for a full. If we used it in the U.S. that’d save plenty of water without having to install the above monstrosity.
Good intention; silly idea. How long would it take to fill the runoff basin with enough water to flush toilet? And if Arnie has to go right after Millie, will things float for the time it takes to fill it up again?
What if you pee in the sink?
Building on that idea, a set up that gets the shower involved too, as well as ultraviolet light for killing bacteria.
The sink above the toilet works out really well for half bathrooms which are super prevalent here is SF. http://www.sinkpositive.com
that and the other article about the coffee printer: Genius! this is a really good way to make a difference !
Cool–gray water recycling is a good idea but expensive on a large scale. The problem with the sink water is that the filter will get clogged pretty quickly. I would think the shower/bath generates more water and less particles (read: shaving stubble). Toilet would likely have to be specially designed. Overall, though, gray water usage is woefully underexplored.
Oh great.. now your using water and electricy when you flush the toilet. Way to include the use of non-renewables with your re-newable
“Oh great.. now your using water and electricy when you flush the
toilet. Way to include the use of non-renewables with your re-newable”^^ This.The whole ideea is to use renewables.Idiotic ideea.
Brilliant, but what about the lost storage space below the sink? More water will be wasted growing more trees to build more bathroom cabinetry. LOL
I hope it wil be used globaly
greate