For Housing

Go Green With “Brown” Water

Water conservation will be one of the top priorities for contractors, developers and residential architects.  Water saving methods and systems will be incorporated into building and remodeling projects more and more in the future.  Commercial builders for large complexes are also including “brown” water use in their building plans.

Brown water has been utilized for years.  Rain water and run-off water was the old-time pioneer’s main supply.   Rain barrels were used to collect water from roof troughs.  Wells were dug which yielded water high in minerals also referred to as “hard” water.  In the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s water cisterns with mechanical pumps were also very common.  This “collected” water was commonly used for bathing, washing hair, doing laundry, scrubbing wood floors, watering livestock, etc.

The use of brown water in today’s world is not terribly different.   Some of its common uses are for irrigating crops, gardens, and yards.  Brown water is also commonly used in bathroom stools and urinals.

Water efficient appliances and devices such as high-efficiency washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, tankless water heaters, low flow faucets and showerheads are some of the interior home devices being designed with water-saving technology.  Currently, such devices are an option to the homebuilder.  But as time marches on and the world becomes more and more environmental and water-saving conscious, these type options will surely become mandatory.

Let’s face it, green is here to stay.  High performance houses or green homes are good for both the homeowner and the environment.  However, green is costly and it sometimes takes years for the homeowner to really reap the benefits.

Going Green