It's been a dry summer here in Beanland, but my flowers look great and my water bill is low. My secret: I use the water from the basement dehumidifier for the plants.
The benefits are numerous:
1.) I don't use municipal water, hence saving money.
2.) The water is chlorine free. This water could be better for the plants; but I admit to not knowing if this is true.
2.) The dehumidifier gets emptied regularly. Yes, this means it runs more, but my stinky basement and the stuff I keep in it benefit.
3.) I water more frequently since I can't bear to put the dehumidifier water down the drain. This has resulted in me hearing the dehumidifier shut off at 10pm and then promptly going outside to water in my pajamas. On the upside, it doesn't take me long since the tank is ~ 2 gallons (not to mention that less water is lost to evaporation when you water in the evening!)
The water in the tank perfectly fills my watering can. I start at one side of the garden and work my way over systematically with each full tank. As you might guess, my garden isn't huge, but it works for me!
Saving Water using Water: The Dehumidifer
August 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
August 21st, 2007 at 03:15 pm 1187705715
Another idea would be to recycyle rainwater runoff from your roof with your own or store-bought barrel that's outfiited to hook up to your drainpipe, with a lid so mosquitos don't lay eggs on the water surface.
August 21st, 2007 at 03:33 pm 1187706802