Use & Re-use Water is used in a conventional way such as bathing or washing dishes, except for the toilet. The water is used and cleaned a second time in interior botanical cells. The flush toilet is the third use of the water. After the toilet, the water is contained and treated, and used a fourth time in exterior botanical cells.

The path of water in an Earthship

The path of water in an Earthship: Rain water is caught in roof gutters and channeled into rain water tanks Water from the tanks is filtered and pumped into the home The Pump pushes water into a pressure tank and conventional household water pressure is the result Water can then be used in a conventional way such as bathing or washing dishes. This water is then used to irrigate internal planter boxes for growing food. From here water is used via a pump to fill the toilet cistern The toilet drainage is separated from all other household drains

Hot Water Water is heated using solar panels and stored in a hot water cylinder ready for use, a natural gas water-heater can be connected to the hot water outlet of the cylinder which will only turn on if the water is not hot enough.

Food production A fundamental concept of Earthships is that grey water from the sink or tub is recycled and purified by feeding into an indoor planter before being used to flush the toilet.

The path of WASTE water from an Earthship: After water is used in sinks, showers etc it then drains into the indoor planter boxes for irrigation this grey water is then piped to flush the toilet. Next the water goes outside to a conventional septic tank