eli5 Is there a reason the waste water like from showers can’t be filtered through pipes and used for toilet water?

Question

eli5 Is there a reason the waste water like from showers can’t be filtered through pipes and used for toilet water?

In: 797

Answer 1

Graywater systems are used in some places, but they generally take water from washing machines and showers and use it for landscaping. It’s not usually seen as worth the hassle to capture gray water for indoors use.

There are also risks, like getting dirt someone washed off their hand splashed on sensitive areas while using the toilet, or even just having the residue from ammonia dish detergent mix with bleach used to clean a toilet.

So you’re on the right track with your idea, but the reality is that there are complications and costs that make only the simplest forms of graywater reuse practical.