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Showerthoughts_Mod t1_jedhwyd wrote

This is a friendly reminder to read our rules.

Remember, /r/Showerthoughts is for showerthoughts, not "thoughts had in the shower!"

(For an explanation of what a "showerthought" is, please read this page.)

Rule-breaking posts may result in bans.

1

ApoliteTroll t1_jediq4l wrote

And we recycle water, just like you recycle this shower thought.

2,157

curiouscabbage69 t1_jedk3ew wrote

So progression equals privilege now? I guess we best stop progressing then..

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Tisniks t1_jedkrpi wrote

In Belgium, new buildings mainly use rain water from the roofs to flush toilets. So we're going in the right direction 🙂

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Translationerr0r t1_jedyj0n wrote

Lol no, I have filtered rainwater for that. Huge saver on the water bill.

1

SoundTracx t1_jedyxji wrote

And easterners are so privileged that they shoot fresh clean water up their butts. Us westerners are just starting to learn the ways of booty cleaning.

And people from Africa are privileged to have three different types of defecting ways. They have both the western and eastern style of toilets as well as the squat style that some eastern countries also use. So efficient it barely even needs water if any at all and can be reused for composting.

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PilzGalaxie t1_jedz9e4 wrote

Replying to curiouscabbage69 (#2,520,516)

Bro a privilege is something that only a certain group of people has Access to. We in Western modernized countries have the privilege to have access to seemingly unlimited Reinking water from our tap. Is is a privilege, that's Just what it is. I don't really understand why you habe auch a Problem with the specific word.

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Jacobgame2 t1_jee0258 wrote

It might seem wasteful but it's generally more resource efficient to use fresh water. Pumping dirty water to every house would require a second set of piping to EVERY house in the UK which is already resource intensive. Then if that pipe leaked it could contaminate the clean water which will cause all that clean water to have to be thrown away. Additionally people could get sick and die from the contaminated clean water which is also resource intensive to treat.

Less of a resource issue and more of a quality of life issue. Dirty water smells if left stagnant.

So really our use of clean water for everything instead of having many different grades of water for different applications is a streamlining of the process so everything is simpler, safer and we can utilise the economy of scale.

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vid_23 t1_jee2pub wrote

Because only people in the west use toilets? What this even supposed to mean?

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src_mtrl t1_jee2t3r wrote

honestly i wouldn't even consider this a privilege, it is much healthier to just squat down and shit. we are basically smearing shit inside of our rectum by folding our shit tube lol. whereas if we squat its a straight path to glory. to add onto that we then use toilet paper to smear shit even further into our ass rather than just wash it out with water. speaking of shit, i gotta go take one now.

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clownandmuppet t1_jee4hz8 wrote

East and Southeast also use toilets…now whether you have a seat or squat toilet is also for privilege debate…

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Valhallabbq t1_jee843u wrote

Replying to Jacobgame2 (#2,521,847)

Being on reddit

Some OP/comment: "Doing such and such could save environment or something something and is smart!" Provides reasonably well made arguments

Random comment: "Actually, doing so and so would be worse for this and that." Provides some counter-arguments that makes sense in some areas of the globe

Third comment: Types furiously "ActHuaLLy (...) you donkeys!"

Me: Grabs popcorn

I love this place!

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Renegade257 t1_jee8aik wrote

Another “we live our lives when there’s people dying all over the world” post. What a bummer this subreddit is now. It used to be good

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Head-like-a-carp t1_jee8eja wrote

And then it goes to a plant where we were clean it and release it back into the rivers. They actually do a really good job at this. Shut up you stupid mother fucker

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ApoliteTroll t1_jee8on1 wrote

Replying to Valhallabbq (#2,523,959)

If you want a post answered you need two accounts, one for making the post itself, and one for answering the post wrongfully but with the grasp you have. Someone will come right in and educate your comment that is wrong.

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Crully t1_jee9wqr wrote

Replying to Tisniks (#2,518,469)

In Wales I could just scoop it out one of the many potholes in my road and put it in a bucket next to the bog. Would work for like 80% of the year.

Some builders burst a pipe last week. They pumped it into the road where it sat for a while, it never drained as the drains don't, well, drain. Now it's just being topped up by the daily rain.

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CyborgBee73 t1_jeeaapg wrote

I live in a literal desert, and I still have enough fresh water to bidet my butt and wash my hands every single time I use the bathroom. I’m so stinking lucky.

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musememo t1_jeeaasq wrote

I heard this from a municipal water engineer from India a few years ago and it was like a slap in the face. When he said it, I thought, “you’re right. This is horrible.”

We should at least be using grey water or recycled water - especially in places such as los angeles. Years ago, I remember seeing a sink/toilet combo in which the sink water drained into the toilet tank.

−2

DroopyRock t1_jeeaaym wrote

It's actually more expensive to use dirty or salt water. The pipes would have to be replaced far too often to be cost effective.

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Crully t1_jeeahub wrote

Yes, some people live in places where water doesn't fall from the sky in vast quantities on a regular basis, and therefore access to clean water is as common and abundant as electricity.

2

ContactIcy3963 t1_jeeajsi wrote

It’s less a clean/dirty water issue and more water surplus/deficit issue where we should conserve water that can be directed to water starved regions; and those regions exist in the west

0

fairygodmotherfckr t1_jeeb65i wrote

I think about this a lot.

When we lived in a place with a bath, it was common for me to take at least one bath per day, to help with the pain I'm in.

Assuming I have any, my grandchildren will never believe that I would just sit in a pool of hot, potable water like that. I can hardly believe it myself.

−2

deltatangofoxtrot5 t1_jeebfbu wrote

And not by chance either. A lot of planning and effort went into the design and implementation. It is good to have objectives and the resources to do it.

1

Valhallabbq t1_jeebgyl wrote

Replying to ApoliteTroll (#2,524,231)

Oh, that's right. You are a polite troll. I mistook you for a poll-lite troll.

A lite-version troll that trolls with polls... or something. Idk what I am on about right now. Don't listen to me.

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lopedopenope t1_jeec9ma wrote

What if I’m trying to clean the toilet. I finish and rinse flush with some shit water

1

Reloecc t1_jeeceep wrote

Replying to Tisniks (#2,518,469)

What a nonsense.. every sweet water is a rain water. There's a no difference between residental water and rain in terms of environment. Reasoning behind this i capacity and price..

−3

mdotca t1_jeecr6c wrote

When we should be shitting in bags and putting our piss down other drains.

2

Bloodyauth t1_jeecrwe wrote

It isn’t wasteful like some people are saying. It is not wasteful at all, water isn’t some resource that can be wasted, it is recycled

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Maw_153 t1_jeecvxq wrote

This is going to be one of things that people say in the future:

“Can you believe people a hundred years ago used to shit into water that you could have drank!”

Kind of like how no one used to pick up dog poo in the 80s…

1

PhiloB93 t1_jeeediv wrote

Fresh water is not a miracle or privilege. I’m pretty sure the secret on how to dig a well is out.

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brickbaterang t1_jeeessl wrote

Right! Everybody back to the "communal latrine pits!" It worked so well before, hardly any diseases or anything!

2

1stbaam t1_jeefbid wrote

Replying to Mister-ellaneous (#2,521,291)

My grandparents bought a house where I live on one normal jobs income. Me and my partner work 50 hours plus a week in degree/masters prerequisite positions to share a room in a house share.

Id shit in the street and wipe my ass with glass for that opportunity.

0

Angry_SAY10 t1_jeefkdg wrote

And yet westerners use a fucking piece of paper to wipe? I mean where privilege now ASSWIPE

2

FahdKrath t1_jeehojb wrote

Abracrapdabra! We love performing the magic art of transforming clean water into filthy water!

2

sweetlemon69 t1_jeehqjp wrote

Ooooffff .. these showering thoughts recently are getting weaker and weaker.... I mean yeah I get it .. but there not even witty anymore....

2

WallBroad t1_jeeitsh wrote

Do you think people in the East poop on the ground or something? It is all about hos rich you are not about the fact that you live in the west

1

Gerrut_batsbak t1_jeejzl0 wrote

I prefer that over having shit and piss everywhere on the streets and in the rivers.

1

QuietAndScreaming t1_jeek44a wrote

That’s the kind of positive attitude I try to keep while struggling for groceries and planning future homelessness from wages ≠ rent. 🙂🙃

1

AgITGuy t1_jeekliu wrote

Replying to Tisniks (#2,518,469)

Project zomboid has taught me the importance of putting rain barrels on my roof, plumbing them to the faucets in my house and then purifying the water as needed.

1

Chuckobochuck323 t1_jeekxvs wrote

Toilet water is not fresh water. Please do not spread this misinformation.

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BellyScratchFTW t1_jeekyct wrote

Is China the "west" now? They use a lot of toilets as well.

2

ApoliteTroll t1_jeel2h2 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,527,803)

Funny your comment isn't new to me at all, it is also often recycled, just in the very same way as you do right now. I too have a life, it is just different than yours. But I do hope you have as pleasant a life as yourself.

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RutCry t1_jeel57w wrote

The garbage disposal in your sink eats better than a significant portion of the world’s population.

2

dontlookback76 t1_jeeldgz wrote

Replying to LXndR3100 (#2,520,873)

I live in a desert so I won't be collecting rainwater. Of course the Colorado river can't provide anymore and lake Mead has dropped around a hundred feet so who knows wtf we're going to flush toilets let alone drink in the future.

3

kniebuiging t1_jeelryd wrote

Replying to Jacobgame2 (#2,521,847)

I am aware of two approaches for a less wasteful approach here:

  1. using a rain water cistern for service water
  2. using almost clean secondary water for service water (like from the washing machine).

My father contemplated using (1) in our house when he had it built but was discouraged because instead of only having one water meter in the house he would have had to get a second water meter to measure the amount of water that goes into the sewage (normally its assumed to be the same as the fresh water).

1

Headgamerz t1_jeelx0a wrote

Replying to Reloecc (#2,525,369)

Except for the fact that residential drinking water has to be cleaned, filtered, disinfected, & transported to your home all of which has a cost and requires energy & resources. Where as rain water falls on your roof and is simply collected, filtered, and used.

I’ve helped design several commercial scale rain water systems in the US for non-potable uses such as car washing & toilet flushing. It’s a thing.

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IDhl89 t1_jeem21e wrote

Lots of countries have clean water for the bathrooms, not just western! Also it’s safer and more cost efficient.

1

Medium_Traffic_2460 t1_jeem5sc wrote

It’s less expensive to use the clean water then to build an entirely new system for houses to have unclean water. Did you think of that genius?

0

Bardsie t1_jeeme9c wrote

Replying to kniebuiging (#2,528,549)

Why would you need a second meter?

The water bill includes a fee for removal of rain water (at least mine from Yorkshire water does.) The rain water they remove remains the same whether it goes straight to the sewers, or to a cistern/loo and then the sewers.

1

Raichu7 t1_jeemmup wrote

Replying to Jacobgame2 (#2,521,847)

Why would you pump grey water from house to house? That’s insane. A grey water system would just take water from any sinks, showers and baths in the house and pump it to the toilet tank.

4

The_Muznick t1_jeemxjd wrote

Replying to ApoliteTroll (#2,517,969)

The place I work at uses rain water. How do I know? They have signs that read "rainwater in use not suitable for consumption" above every toilet and urinal. Pretty sure the story behind the need for these signs is pretty gross.

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throw-awaypc t1_jeen3u0 wrote

Its not really about priviledge as much as its about water abundence is certain geopraphical areas.

'the west' didnt set up 99% of it cities on the rivers for no reason.

1

Bardsie t1_jeenauk wrote

Replying to kniebuiging (#2,528,859)

Ah, it's entirely possible the rain water and wastewater sewers are separate in Germany. That would explain it.

As you replied to someone who mentioned the UK, I assumed you were in the UK also. Over here most, if not all, rain and waste water goes into the same sewers.

1

QuietRock t1_jeengm8 wrote

Replying to mechapoitier (#2,527,467)

Bright side of that is that Phoenix is being proactive to secure fresh water and the issue gets bipartisan support. Last year Arizona approved a $1 billion investment in water security, including desalination.

If we get to a place where the Colorado can't support Phoenix, the chances are Las Vegas and Los Angeles will be in the same boat. Arizona's investments now are meant to help reduce reliance on the Colorado.

If push came to shove, the municipalities would have water restrictions but it would be farming that probably takes the big L since farms use the majority of water in the state.

1

Drewsky3 t1_jeeofco wrote

Replying to Tisniks (#2,518,469)

This only works of you live in a place that gets enough rainfall.
Especially with the direction global warming is going, this is shouldn't be the primary source, as rain is becomming more intermittnet. Less amounts and frequency in some places (droughts, etc) and and more extreme and intense in others.

1

Responsible_Nerve42 t1_jeeosw6 wrote

Yes hello from the Middle East where I often see contractors rinsing off their faces in our bathroom runoff water. I can’t wait to get back to the US where people truly don’t get how good we have it.

1

WingZombie t1_jeeoxu7 wrote

Whenever I travel to Latin America or Asia I always develop a strong appreciation for 3 things in the west.

  1. Abundance of potable water

  2. Trash pickup

  3. High quality plumbing and sewer

1

Ninjaromeo t1_jeep0lo wrote

Replying to vid_23 (#2,522,467)

I went to africa. They had toilets just like ours. But the residential ones never seemed to be hooked into plumming, you used a bucket and sink water. Businesses always seemed to have it connected to the plumbing.

When I first got there, I had diariah from airplane food and 22 hours of flying. I didn't realize you refilled it yourself. I thought there toilet was broken at the most inconvenient time ever, when it was completely filled with my diariah about 5 minutes after most of them met me.

1

Haymac16 t1_jeev9tf wrote

Replying to curiouscabbage69 (#2,521,806)

Neither of those things you mentioned are bad things either though, and the fact that you think they are is telling. Having privilege isn’t something to feel bad about, it’s just an important thing to recognize.

1

HarrySRL t1_jeexnh2 wrote

No matter what there will always be a privileged person and a non-privileged person

0

Reloecc t1_jefewdy wrote

Replying to Headgamerz (#2,528,601)

You didn't get what I said and I am not surprised. Both residental and rain water needs to be filtered, cleaned and disinfected. Not sure why you missed out chlorination of rain water.. you really don't want all the bacteria lurking into your toilet and props.

Commercial scale rain water you say? Roof or standalone collectors, contact tanks, pressure tanks, pumps. All made from plastic and coal > steel production. Excavators, truck transport and local waste. Very environmental friendly, right?

Be sure that doing this once per town in large scale is much less impactful than doing this per house in smaller scale.

Huge difference is town projects use natural reservoirs of water (where possible ofc) instead of huge plastic "bottles" burried in dirt everywhere around.

I admit transportation is a thing. It cost some energy. But local water circulation cost it too! Water needs to be pumped from a source to that toilet. Shorter distance means less energy ofc, but for a less people!

I could go on.. could talk about homemade filtrations, leaks, hobbysits accidents etc. etc. So.. sum all it up please!

0

Headgamerz t1_jeffuro wrote

Replying to Reloecc (#2,538,248)

The standards needed for non-potable water is much less strenuous then potable water, and so are the chemical and energy requirements.

But I’m not very interested in arguing with you about a subject I have actual experience in. Believe what you want.

1

Wundawuzi t1_jefn1sb wrote

Its very ressource efficient to clear water in a water treatment plant. Way better than every household having to purify water themselfs by boiling it. And now that we already have it it would be just stupid to build a complete second system just for dirt bowl water.

What people can do and what is becoming quiet popular is to buils tanks for rainwater and use that to do stuff like flushing toilets or watering plants. But that rather little bit of piping (when building new, retro-fitting is a pain in the ass) costs very little. Waaaaaay better, cheaper and efficient than building an entirely new network.

1