Hi, Rudi! thanks for writing! haven't been on this blog for a bit and didn't see your comment!

I asked my plumber about a greywater system that would capture the shower run off as well as the bathroom sinks and the washing machine--he said to build one that meets California code would be very expensive. He said under California law he wasn't allowed to hook up a greywater system to the kitchen sink because of food particles--something about food-borne diseases being a risk.

For something rather inexpensive, instead of having the washing machine water go down a drain, he could divert the drainage tube on the back of the washer so it drains into a large barrel(s) with a nozzel attached. Then all I'd have to do is attach a hose to the nozzel and the water would come out; I'd use it to water the plants on the side of my house with it.

This would take care of the washing machine run off. I've been saving the kitchen sink water in buckets for years anyway and dumping it outside; this gave me the idea of saving the runoff from the bathroom sinks by using small plastic containers. The only thing I haven't figured out is the shower runoff--unless I resort to standing in a large bucket like my friend does!

I think the only way to do this on a large scale is for all NEW construction to have built-in greywater systems and composting toilets; this adds to the cost of new construction but it is less expensive than retro-fitting. The same goes for the installation of solar panels. In California, the small city of Lakewood uses greywater to water all of its parks. Again, if cities all across America did this, think of the water savings!

....and don't get me started about golf courses--they not only use massive amounts of water but tons of weed-killing herbicides to keep those nice green lawns! I'm not much of a fan of artificial grass, but I'd make an exception for golf courses, ball parks, and other sports venues.