Rain Water Harvesting

[EcclesCake]

Does anyone harvest rainwater for flushing loos?

I am surprised at how stained my toilet bowls become and want to avoid using bleach.

I appreciate the reason is probably due to there being a layer of absorbent scale that takes on the discolorants from the rain water. In time the the scale will diminish through the ongoing use of rain water and I do periodically give the loos an overnight soak of vinegar.

Any other suggestions???

[bhg481]

Get a water softener

[EcclesCake]

Why would I wan't a water softener for rain water?

[Maydup]

I use Ecover products - limescale remover and loo cleaners are both good and natural alternatives eccles. The limescale remover does the trick and brings back the shine.

[jomifl]

The problem with bleach is that it doesn't remove limescale it deposits it.. Rather than use table vinegar try white vinegar or even limescale remover. I use 20% hydrochloric acid which is sold in supermarkets in France, though it is rarely needed.

[jomifl]

If you are using rainwater and not separating the leaf debris before it goes into the storage tank you may be getting an accumulation of tannic acid which can stain loos.

[diddlydo]

I'm intrigued as to how you organise rain-water for loo flushing. Do you fill buckets from a water butt or what?

[RATTER15]

All our water is from wells, it is then fed through a filter in the loft, I think that is different to what you are doing but we don't get any problems.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks, I will investigate what filters we have on the in and out of the tank.

[jomifl]

Rainwater recovery systems usually have a mechanism which dumps the first few gallons as this contains the major part of the debris such as dead leaves and bird sh1t. This makes subsequent filtration much easier.

[EcclesCake]

I cannot recall but I would expect the outlet pipe to be a few inches off the bottom to allow sediment to settle and nut be sucked thought the system.

In the short term I'll continue with my vinegar for the limescale and occasional dose of bleach when the discolouration becomes too much......I'll have a read of the Ecover limescale remover, I'd always assumed it was nothing much more than vinegar!

I am planning new bathrooms so hopefully that will allow us to start out on a more even keel and keep,on top of things.

[gingejbee]

I'd think that Ecover limescale removers were strong citric, rather than acetic, acid...because citric is more efficient, eco-friendly and doesn't smell.

[EcclesCake]

For numerous reasons I'm not a massive fan of Ecover stuff, I will take a closer look at their limescale stuff though.

[EcclesCake]

Just had a thought!

I have a kilo of citric acid in my food cupboard. Is there anything I should consider before pouring a couple of handfuls into the loo?

[gingejbee]

Citric is about as safe as you can get. Do it at a time you KNOW you'll be able to leave it alone for a few hours (going out etc.). Flush loo (I'd now pour some hot water in, so the water is warm), add about a tablespoon of the crystals and mix to dissolve (loo brush is useful here). Leave as long as possible and flush. Any scale will have gone.

[EcclesCake]

Flipping heck, my kilo of citric acid is going to last a while if I only need to use a tbs to clean the loo.

I'm trying remember why I bought it at all, something to do with bread making I think?

[boxtops]

Do you have to lug the rainwater upstairs in buckets? I don't know that I could do that.

[EcclesCake]

Boxtops, we have a large underground tank and a pump. Buckets are not necessary!