Dear Jim: We seem to have water shortages every summer and my water-sewage bills keep increasing. Are there any methods or kits available to use household greywater to water the lawn and other landscaping? – Mike M.

Dear Mike: Reusing greywater in homes is becoming more popular and is one of the most effective methods to stretch our limited water supplies and cut your water-sewage bills. Also, by reusing greywater, load requirements on municipalities’ water and sewage treatment facilities are reduced so fewer expensive new facilities are needed.

Greywater from homes refers to wastewater from showers, baths, clothes washing, and some sinks. These sources of water are relatively clean and free of chemicals. Water from dishwashers and hand washing or dishes can be used too, but it tends to contain more organic particles, grease and oils.

In the average home, more than half of the water that goes down drains into the sewer is reusable greywater, not black water (from toilets). This typically ranges from 20 to 40 gallons of water per day per family member.

It is relatively simple to use greywater to water shrubs, gardens and trees in your yard. Many companies offer complete kits and systems to capture greywater, store it briefly and then direct it to the plants. Since greywater is still warm, freezing during the winter often is not a problem.

Watering trees and shrubs is often the preferred use of greywater because it can be piped to the roots. This subsurface watering is the most effective and efficient method for plants. The microbes in the soil immediately begin to break down particles, oils, etc. and naturally purify the water.

The simplest method to use is an add-on minisink that mounts on your existing kitchen sink. Swing the faucet over it when you rinse vegetables, fruits, your hands, etc. The drain carries water to a simple jug or tank you use for watering. It can also run to an automatic lawn watering system. Another simple method is called “drain out back” or “branched” greywater. With this system, the greywater simply runs out a pipe in an appropriate location in your back yard. Check your local codes about using this method.

The best greywater systems use large surge tanks to hold the greywater, subsurface drip irrigation emitters, filters, and electronic controllers. They work similar to standard residential lawn-garden water systems except they supplement the city water supply with any available free greywater.

A related item is a wastewater heat recovery pipe. This is a new section of drain pipe for your shower. The hot water going down the drain preheats the incoming cold water going to the water heater.

This can provide more hot water for morning showers for free.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 978 – buyer’s guide of nine greywater and heat-recovery water system manufacturers, sizing and payback information, system diagrams, and water conservation tips. Include $3 and a business-size SASE, and send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.