Recycled Water Toilet

by Contributed - Story: 23628Nov. 02, 2006 Castanet
In keeping with a goal set out in the City’s Strategic Plan, a Kelowna home will be one of the first in Canada to feature a toilet that uses recycled water. The first Brac Grey Water Recycling System installation will take place this week in the Kettle Valley subdivision. Working closely with the City’s Inspections Division, the Brac system will be installed to the City’s satisfaction by Excel Ventures Inc. The installation is in keeping with the City’s goal to investigate news ways to conserve local water resources, a goal outlined in the 2004 Strategic Plan. The system captures and filters bath and shower water and supplies the chlorine-treated water (grey water) to toilet tanks for flushing. The system is expected to save the average household 30% or more on water consumption, which also means that much less water will require treatment at the Waste Water Treatment Facility. Typically, national and provincial building codes do not regulate the use of recycled water (grey water) used in a home, but the Inspections Division is eager to make this water-saving initiative work and will only require the installation of one simple backflow prevention device for homes using this system to ensure the health and safety of the occupants is not jeopardized. “The City is actively investigating new ways to conserve water,” says Ron Dickinson, Inspections Services Manager. “We think this system will be of great benefit in that regard and hope that with the successful installation of this first system, more will follow.”