Yes, grey water handling is very basic, very important.

Why not eliminate the need for homeowner lawn-watering? Why water anything but food?

I would like to re-think the notion of lawns not just in arid or semi-arid climes but also the temperate climate of North America. Way back when, planted the familiar stuff from home (mostly the UK & France originally, at least this far north Spain didn't settle). There must be better plant choices than grasses that need more rain than we reliably get, for example here in Ontario. The annual rainfall here is something around 32" but only once every few years does enough of that fall in summer to keep large lawns green. Our small, wind-sheltered lawn stayed lush and green during this hot, dry summer and I don't know why--perhaps because we did not water and only mowed every 2 weeks?

When we were putting in a lawn I found precious little help when I contacted so-called eco-friendly lawn installers. Maybe 'Catters will know good alternatives to grass that will remain healthy in our low-rain summers (less than 8" May 1-Sept 30) and yet be mowable enough to be a play area for kids and/or dogs, perennial so it won't need planting each year. And it should be sturdy enough to out compete at least some of the coarse weeds.

Okay, as I type that list of qualifications for grass-lawn substitute, maybe it won't be easy.

What about crown vetch that the highway people are using alongside roads so they don't have to pay to mow at all...does it respond well to mowing? Its fairly lush and soft under fott, though the flowers attract bees, not a great thing if it's a kids' play area.

A lot to consider. Thoughts?