Home reuse systems are certainly not practical for everyone. They should at least be considered, however, by those building new homes. Homeowners in areas susceptible to emergency water shortages either due to drought or inadequate supply systems will also find reuse installations worth considering. Twenty-five percent of all American homes have no public sewer system available. Reusing graywater is a good way to reduce wastewater.
Urban growth places extreme demands on existing water distribution systems.
Many cities cannot keep up with the pumping, piping, and storage facilities to meet demands. Because energy is a major expense of distribution and treatment of municipal water and sewage systems, energy shortages will mean more interest in home reuse. Experts promise that energy shortages are certain to force stringent water conservation programs in the future. The state planning agency reported in 1977 that using graywater for flushing toilets could mean significant savings in home water use. This figure would jump to 120,000 acre-feet savings by the year 2030.