Everyday there is something in the media about the drought in Utah and the Western states. The Utah Legislature passed a dozen water-related bills this year allocating $450 million dollars to enact those laws which Gov. Spencer Cox endorsed.
I have not, however, heard anyone talking about developing or using greywater systems. According to the EPA, the average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day with 30% of that going for outdoor uses, or over 180 gallons per day. The Water Resources Research Center of Arizona estimates that 60-65% of home water use creates greywater from showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. If that greywater was recaptured for outdoor use, it would save approximately 192 gallons of water per household per day. Those allocating the water resource funds should be putting some of that money into developing greywater systems that would be feasible and economically viable for households, which could be saving millions of gallons of water each year.
A tax incentive program could be developed to off-set the cost for households to install greywater systems.
Tucson, Arizona, is requiring new homes to include piping for greywater filtration units. Tucson is also offering reimbursement of 50% — up to $1000 — to homeowners who install permanent greywater recycling systems. Utah could lead the way for other western states in helping to save our precious water resources.
Susan Sundstrom, Millcreek
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