Why is keeping tap water turned on considered wastage?

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The phrase/word seems to turn up in all/most Romance languages. But, I doubt it actually means "sugar laden", rather "pleasant".

It might be a comparison to alkaline water, which reportedly tastes bitter.
 
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hmmm27 said:
It might be a comparison to alkaline water, which reportedly tastes bitter.

In polish we also use "sweet water" but it's compared with "salt water" like in Baltic Sea. Funny enough, I've never thought (even as a child, at least I don't remember) about the name "sweet water" as literally meaning sweet water. I guess the context made it always clear.
 
Was it Hong Kong where several districts had a 'parallel' supply of non-potable water for eg sewage flushing ?

Also, lessons from eg 'Cruise Ships', which necessarily get through a lot of fresh water. They cannot carry enough in tanks for route, often not enough for even portions of route. So, they make their own. Desalination is complex and energy intensive. Sea-water also has the 'organics' to 'blind' filters, membranes etc. IIRC, many modern cruise-ships use much of waste heat from engines to pre-heat then boil sea-water for distillation. It is a 'juggling act', as this needs the main engines run, so only available when travelling between ports. Auxiliary systems and 'buffer' tankage must suffice when in port or anchored...
 
By letting tap water run you are turning freshwater into grey water (water drained from sinks, basins, showers, tubs, washers...) which needs to be treated, resevoired, oxygenated or the like to become tasty potable tap water for you to waste again.

It is a Bad Idea!

[Post edited by a Mentor]
 
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