6 Best Water Reclaim Systems For Apartments That Lower Your Footprint
Lower your footprint with these apartment systems.
You hear the water running in the shower, waiting for it to get hot. Gallons of perfectly clean, fresh water just swirl down the drain. It’s a daily ritual in millions of apartments, and it represents one of the biggest, yet most invisible, sources of waste in modern living. We obsess over electricity use and recycling, but often overlook the massive amount of water we consume and discard without a second thought. This isn’t just about saving a few dollars on your utility bill; it’s about fundamentally rethinking our relationship with a finite resource, right from within the four walls of our home.
Living in a smaller footprint, whether by choice or necessity, forces you to be more intentional. Every system, every square inch, has to justify its existence. Water is no different. The good news is that you don’t need a custom-built eco-home to make a huge difference. Clever, accessible technology now exists that allows apartment dwellers to reclaim, recycle, and radically reduce their water consumption without major renovations or a landlord’s permission.
This isn’t about giving up long showers or sacrificing hygiene. It’s about being smarter with the water you already use. From simple, no-plumbing-required toilet upgrades to sophisticated closed-loop shower systems, the options for apartment-friendly water reclamation are more diverse and effective than ever. We’re going to explore six of the best systems, breaking down how they work, who they’re for, and the practical realities of integrating them into your apartment life.
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Slash Your Water Bill With These 6 Smart Systems
Water reclamation in an apartment isn’t a single solution; it’s a spectrum of choices. On one end, you have simple, passive collection methods that cost next to nothing and can be implemented in minutes. On the other, you have active, plumbed-in systems that offer dramatic savings but require a bit more commitment. The key is to find the right fit for your space, your budget, and your willingness to engage with the system.
The most effective approach often involves layering a few different strategies. You might use a simple mat to catch shower warm-up water for your plants, while also installing a toilet-top sink to recycle hand-washing water for flushing. This multi-pronged attack on waste can cut your consumption by a surprising amount. It transforms water from a disposable commodity into a valuable resource you actively manage.
Before you choose a system, ask yourself three critical questions. First, how much installation am I willing (and allowed) to do? Second, what will I do with the reclaimed water? And third, how much space can I dedicate to the system? Answering these honestly will steer you away from an ambitious project that ends up in a closet and toward a practical solution you’ll use every day.
SinkTwice: The Easiest No-Plumb Toilet Upgrade
The concept is brilliantly simple: why use fresh, potable water to flush a toilet when you have perfectly good greywater available? The SinkTwice replaces your standard toilet tank lid with a combination sink and faucet. When you flush, the system diverts clean water from the fill line up to the faucet, allowing you to wash your hands as the tank refills. That soapy water then drains directly into the tank, ready for the next flush.
This is a powerful two-for-one solution. You’re not just reusing water; you’re also eliminating the water you would have used from your main bathroom sink. It’s a closed loop that happens on a micro-scale, turning one of the home’s most wasteful fixtures into a model of efficiency. For apartments with small bathrooms or powder rooms, it even saves space by combining two fixtures into one.
The beauty of the SinkTwice is its accessibility. This is a non-permanent upgrade perfect for renters. Installation requires no special tools or plumbing skills; if you can take off your toilet tank lid, you can install this system in about five minutes. The main consideration is compatibility—it works with most standard two-piece toilets but not with tankless, wall-mounted, or unusually shaped models. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-impact entry into water reclamation.
Aqua2use GWDD: Recycle Your Laundry Water Effortlessly
If your apartment has an in-unit washing machine, you’re sitting on a greywater goldmine. A single load of laundry can use anywhere from 15 to 30 gallons of water. The Aqua2use Greywater Diversion Device (GWDD) is designed to capture, filter, and redirect this water for other uses, most commonly for irrigation. It’s a compact unit that connects to your washing machine’s discharge hose, passing the water through a series of lint traps and filters before sending it out to a garden hose.
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This system is ideal for apartment dwellers with a significant outdoor space, like a ground-floor patio garden, a large balcony with numerous planters, or access to a community green space. The filtered water is perfect for non-edible plants, shrubs, and lawns. It’s a way to keep your green space lush without ever turning on a spigot, dramatically cutting your outdoor water use, which can be a huge part of a utility bill in warmer climates.
However, practicality is paramount here. Before investing, you need a clear plan for the 20+ gallons of water you’ll capture per load. A few potted herbs won’t be enough. You also need to be mindful of local regulations regarding greywater use and always get your landlord’s permission for any semi-permanent installation. Using plant-friendly, biodegradable detergents is also a must to keep your garden healthy.
Geyser Systems: A Hyper-Efficient Portable Shower
Sometimes the best way to reclaim water is to not use it in the first place. The Geyser System challenges the very idea of a traditional shower. It’s a portable, self-contained unit that uses less than a gallon of water for a 15-minute shower by mixing it with compressed air and delivering it through a specialized sponge. This isn’t a low-pressure drip; it’s an effective, high-pressure scrub that gets you clean with a fraction of the resources.
While originally designed for campers and off-grid living, the Geyser has found a solid following among apartment dwellers focused on radical efficiency. It can serve as a secondary shower for a quick rinse after a workout, saving you from running your main shower. It’s also an incredible emergency preparedness tool, providing hot showers during a power or water outage with just a 12V power source and a gallon of water.
The tradeoff is the experience. This is not a luxurious, immersive shower where you can zone out. It’s a functional, task-oriented way to get clean. You have to actively engage with the scrub sponge, and the sensation is different from being under a stream of water. For those who see showering as a utility rather than a spa-like ritual, the Geyser offers an unmatched level of water and energy savings in a completely portable, non-permanent package.
Showerloop: The Ultimate Closed-Loop Shower System
For the renter who is deeply committed to sustainability and has a cooperative landlord, the Showerloop represents the pinnacle of residential water recycling. This is a true closed-loop system that captures your shower water, puts it through a multi-stage filtration and sterilization process in real-time, and then pumps it right back to the showerhead. You get to enjoy a long, hot, high-pressure shower while using only a few gallons of water for the entire duration.
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The system works by first collecting water at the drain. It then passes through a micron filter to remove hair and particles, goes through an activated carbon filter to remove soaps and organics, and is finally sterilized with a UV-C light to kill any bacteria or pathogens. The clean water is then reheated and sent back to you, with the whole cycle taking just a few seconds. The energy savings are also immense, as the system only needs to reheat the water by a few degrees instead of heating cold water from the main line.
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Let’s be clear: this is not a casual weekend project. The Showerloop requires a significant installation that involves plumbing and electrical work, making it the least renter-friendly option on this list. It’s a serious investment that requires planning and permission. But for the right person in the right situation—perhaps a long-term rental or a condo owner—it offers the most profound reduction in water and energy consumption possible.
WaterHog Mat: Simply Catch and Reuse Shower Water
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Sometimes the most effective solutions are the simplest. The WaterHog Mat is essentially a shallow, flexible basin that you place on your shower floor. Its raised edges are designed to capture the gallons of clean water that typically run down the drain while you’re waiting for it to warm up. Once your shower is hot, you simply kick the soft edge down to let new water drain normally.
After your shower, you’re left with a mat holding one to three gallons of perfectly clean water. This "warm-up water" is ideal for a variety of household tasks. The most common use is for watering houseplants, which can eliminate that chore’s water consumption entirely. You can also use it to fill a mop bucket, rinse recyclables, or even fill the tank of your toilet for a free flush.
This is the definition of a low-barrier-to-entry system. It requires zero installation, costs very little, and takes up minimal space when not in use. The only "work" involved is carrying the mat of water to its destination. Its main advantage is making water saving an easy, visible habit. It’s a constant, physical reminder of the resource you’re saving, making it a powerful tool for building a more conscious household.
RTS Rain Barrel: Harvest Rain on Your Apartment Patio
Collect rainwater efficiently with this 50-gallon barrel made from recycled plastic. Its flat-back design fits snugly against walls, while the overflow valve and easy-to-use spigot make watering your garden simple.
Rainwater harvesting feels like something reserved for homeowners with sprawling yards and elaborate gutter systems, but that’s a common misconception. Compact, aesthetically pleasing rain barrels are now designed specifically for patios, balconies, and other small urban spaces. An RTS Rain Barrel, for example, often has a flat back to sit flush against a wall and a planter on top to blend in with your decor.
For an apartment, the collection method is different but doable. If you have a covered balcony, you can often rig a simple diverter to capture the runoff. Even without a roof, you can capture a surprising amount of water from direct rainfall, especially with a wider-mouthed barrel. This harvested rainwater is naturally soft, free of chlorine, and excellent for watering sensitive indoor and outdoor plants.
Before you buy, there are two crucial steps. First, check your local municipal codes and your building’s rules. Some areas have restrictions on rainwater harvesting, and many landlords have rules about what can be stored on a balcony. Second, ensure any barrel you choose has a secure, mosquito-proof lid. An open container of stagnant water is a health hazard, so a properly sealed system is non-negotiable.
Choose the Right Water Reclaim System for Your Home
Choosing the right system isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for you. Your decision should be a balance of your living situation, your budget, and your personal commitment to conservation. A system that’s too complicated for your lifestyle will go unused, while one that’s too simple might leave you wanting more impact.
Use this framework to guide your choice:
- For the Casual Saver (Low Effort, Low Cost): Start with the WaterHog Mat. It’s cheap, requires no installation, and immediately gets you in the habit of saving water.
- For the Renter (Easy Install, High Impact): The SinkTwice is the clear winner. It’s a five-minute, reversible upgrade that saves water with every single flush.
- For the Gardener (Some Setup, Big Payoff): If you have an in-unit washer and a patio, the Aqua2use GWDD turns a major water-waster into a free irrigation system for your plants.
- For the Hyper-Efficient Minimalist (Portable, Niche Use): The Geyser Systems shower is for those who prioritize resource conservation above all else and are willing to change their habits to achieve it.
- For the Committed Eco-Warrior (High Effort, Maximum Savings): The Showerloop is a serious, long-term investment for homeowners or dedicated renters with landlord buy-in, offering the most dramatic savings possible.
Ultimately, the goal is to close the loop between water use and water waste. Every gallon you capture with a rain barrel or reuse from your sink is a gallon that doesn’t have to be pumped, treated, and delivered to your tap. Start with one small, manageable change. Once you see the impact it makes, you’ll be surprised how motivated you become to find the next opportunity to save.
Living in a smaller space magnifies the impact of every choice we make. The distance between action and consequence shrinks, and this is especially true with resources like water. The systems we’ve covered aren’t just gadgets; they are tools that empower you to take direct control over your environmental footprint in a way that often feels impossible in a large, anonymous apartment building. They shift your perspective from being a passive consumer to an active manager of your home’s ecosystem.
The journey toward a more sustainable apartment life doesn’t require a single, drastic overhaul. It’s built on a series of small, intentional upgrades. Maybe you start by simply catching your shower water in a basin. Perhaps next year you install a toilet-top sink. Each step makes a tangible difference, not just to your water bill, but to the collective strain on our municipal water systems.
Don’t underestimate the power of these individual actions. When you adopt one of these systems, you’re not just saving a few gallons here and there. You’re participating in a larger movement of conscious, efficient living. You’re proving that a sustainable lifestyle is not the exclusive domain of off-grid homesteaders; it can be built, one smart system at a time, right in the heart of the city.
