| Around the country, companies and interest groups | | | | barrels to collect the precipitation. However, while this |
| are working tirelessly to bring us the next revolution | | | | low tech solution can help save water, it can also put |
| in environmentally sound products. The next products | | | | you in violation of city ordinances if the barrel |
| to hit the mass market in a big way could change the | | | | overflows and spills water onto the neighbor's yard. |
| way we do plumbing. That's right, it looks like water | | | | With the new systems of rain collection, the |
| recycling could be the next big thing and it could not | | | | overflow is diverted underground. These kinds of |
| only prove to be a major help to the environment, it | | | | technologies could be used to cut household water |
| could mean big savings for everyone interested in | | | | usage by up to 1/3. Experts agree that most people |
| how it will affect their bottom line. | | | | underestimate the amount of water they use on a |
| These water recycling systems may work differently | | | | daily basis, particularly when it comes to flushing the |
| when they reach the mainstream, but some clues | | | | toilet. Most people will say they flush the toilet around |
| can be garnered by looking at prototype projects | | | | three or four times a day, when the reality is usually |
| around the country. One such project takes drained | | | | more like eight to ten. |
| water from the shower and diverts it back to the | | | | Of course, home recycling isn't the only place we'll be |
| toilet tank. Another makes use of rainwater, pushing | | | | seeing the new plumbing revolution. Officials in |
| it straight from the gutters to an irrigation system | | | | Orange County and other places around the world |
| that can be used to water the lawn or the garden. | | | | have put millions of dollars into plans that will allow |
| These kinds of plumbing innovations are exciting to | | | | them to turn sewage water into drinking water by |
| anyone who is concerned about the rate at which | | | | running it through a purification process. While this |
| we are going through our natural water supplies. The | | | | may not sound as appetizing as it could, the |
| projects use computer controls for the homeowner | | | | purification process is complete and will return water |
| to direct and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of | | | | that is very much safe to drink. With ideas such as |
| $2,000. | | | | these, the thought of water restrictions and drought |
| Many people are already trapping their rainwater and | | | | may become concepts of the past. |
| using it for other purposes simply by setting out rain | | | | |