Maybe if we keep asking and poking around, we'll figure it out. I hope so. When I start thinking about something like this, it sticks in my mind until it drives me nuts (hush, Brandy) or I can actually do it.
 

Cinnamonhuskies:

I guess I'm spoiled living in a state surrounded by lakes and having alot of inland lakes as well. Water has never been an issue or expense here in the rural areas.

Just trying to make us feel bad, huh?  

I've been to Minnesota and a very little ways in to Michigan and love the lake country. Is underground water close to the surface there? I was raised in Wyoming, where it's really dry, but the underground water is within a couple or three feet in many places, so I guess surface water isn't a good indication.

I live in a humid and rainy area but the water bill is still rather high for my tastes. So I am interested in making use of water that doesn't come with a price tag.

No comments on your sanity Pat, lol.

Brandy:

No comments on your sanity Pat, lol

How kind.  

I have caught rain water by just putting out pots and pans, big bowls and things like that. I pour it into buckets and save it to use on the garden later. Low tech, but it works for me.

When there's a drought, there isn't much rain water, anyway. We xeroscaped the front yard by putting in native grass and some wild flowers. Along with some driftwood, two short sections of pole fence and some big rocks, it looks pretty good. It was a lot of work, though.

I am in the process of replacing my old toilet!  We in my area are getting raises in our water/sewer bills.  It will increase this time of year every year for the next five years (starting with the bill I paid in March)!

I checked into it:

I can get a Kohler toilet that uses 1 gallon or 1.6 gallons per flush for $222.  (You can choose how many gallons it uses)  I can replace my old toilet that is using 6 gallons per flush.  I figure it should not take me long to recoup the cost.

I am doing here what many are suggesting this summer:

Using rainwater to water garden plants or the lawn, Using rinsewater from the washer to do the same.

Reminding my kids (and grownups) not to leave water running while brushing teeth or soaping up in the shower.

Annie

Annie,

My goal with rainwater at this time is to use it for things besides gardening. I'd like useable water for cleaning, the dog, laundry and whatever else I can think of.

I use the rinse cycle water from my washer to do wash my kitchen floor and bathroom floor.  (I have a Golden Retriever and childen...all of who like to bring in dirt!)  The same for my FINAL rinse with the dishwasher (the first one is gross).  I guess I would do the same with rainwater.  I, too, am looking for ways to utilize rainwater more as well.

Annie

I don't have a washer and dryer so making use of the rinsewater is out for me. I walk to my Mother's house and use hers and I do miss the convenience of having my own. Harvesting rainwater for use is the best I can do at this time.

 We are on the same water line as my parents so we pay 65% of the water bill so that it's fair to them. This comes out to about $40 a month. If I can keep the overall costs down then I pay less.

I can't cut down on water use in my home. We live in a travel trailer which has the low water use since it's made to work with a small water reserve. We have maybe 8 minutes of hot water use so showers are short. But I can find ways to use free water instead and save.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!  aka Let the buyer beware.

Our "efficient" (NOT) toilets take 2 or 3 flushes to clear out anything other than "water" and TP.  No savings are apparent but the store was happy to sell them!   In the mitten state, where I live, it is the "law" that toilets sold are only the "efficient" kind.  We can always go over the bridege to Canada to buy a "regular" toilet but not sure about the legalities of coming back into the US with it.  sigh...