How to Use Nonpotable Water

Nonpotable water has not been treated to ensure that it is safe for drinking. Therefore, it should not be consumed. But nonpotable water such as rainwater has several alternative uses that allow for the preservation of limited drinking water supplies. If you have any questions about what water is safe to collect in your area and what local laws may apply, contact your city's water department.

Instructions

• 1

  Water your lawn. If your region is having a low rainy season, collect what rain does come in a large barrel or several pails. Retain the water and use it to irrigate your lawn during the dry season or to give a drink to particular areas of landscaping that need extra water. In addition to the general environmental benefit of preserving drinking water, this may help you overcome the challenge of water restrictions imposed by your municipality and keep your lawn looking green and healthy.

• 2

  Wash your car. Although it may be easy to use a hose and sprayer to give your wheels a quick bath, collected rainwater can also do the trick. Add soap to a pail of rainwater and wash with a sponge. Rinse using a container that you can fill up with rainwater and spray manually.

• 3

  Change the water supply to your toilet and install a catchment system for rainwater. Most water flushed into the toilet is clean, potable water; with the installation of a system whereby rain is collected into a container and rerouted when a flush is needed, this precious resource is maintained. Systems are commercially available and some state or municipal government sources may have how-to information available to install such a system.