Two important facts with water:

As of 2026, clean water availability remains a critical global challenge. While 74% of the global population has access to "safely managed" drinking water, approximately 2.2 billion people—roughly one in four—still lack it.

Depending where you are, for example: Texas water supplies are under strain, with total availability projected to decline by approximately 18% from 2020 to 2070 due to population growth and demand, falling from 16.8 million acre-feet to 13.8 million acre-feet. Groundwater currently provides over 55% of the state’s water, with 42% from surface water.
It is clear that clean water is needed globally and we shouldn't be wasting water. Water purification and water recovery or reducing our water usage has to be important priorities.
In places like Texas, air conditioning is an important way of life. When air is conditioned, typically the temperature is brought below the dew point and a water condensate is formed- today this condensate is typically discharged down the sanitary sewer. Is this worth collecting?
Recovering air conditioning condensate for reuse
A system was designed and installed to collect the water condensate from a small family dwelling air conditioning unit. The collected water was pumped into a rain barrel and levels monitored. The recovered water was used to supplement a garden irrigation system.
In Texas, where high humidity and intense cooling loads are common, collecting air conditioning condensate is highly worthwhile. A typical residential unit can produce between 5 and 20 gallons of water per day, with some systems generating up to 30 gallons in peak summer conditions.

Why It’s Worth Collecting

High Yield: In humid regions like central and coastal Texas, an AC unit can produce 3 to 10 gallons of water per day per 1,000 square feet of cooled space.
Water Conservation: As Texas faces a projected 18% decline in water availability by 2070, reusing this "free" byproduct reduces demand on municipal supplies and groundwater.
Financial Incentives: Cities like Austin offer incentives, such as rebates for rain barrels and commercial condensate reuse systems (up to $1 per gallon per day recovered).
Plant Health: Condensate is essentially distilled water—free of chlorine, minerals, and fluoride found in tap water—making it ideal for ornamental plants and local wildlife.

Key Considerations for Your System

Non-Potable Use Only: While the water is pure when it condenses, it can pick up bacteria (like Legionella), fungi, or heavy metals from the AC coils and drain pipes. It is generally recommended for ornamental plants, fountains, or toilets rather than for drinking or edible gardens.
Maintenance: Ensure there is at least a 2-inch air gap between your collection line and the storage barrel to prevent water from backing up into your home if the barrel overflows.
Mosquito Control: Storage containers like rain barrels must be tightly screened to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Implementation Examples

Scale Application Impact
Small Residential Garden irrigation & bird baths Saves ~$50–$100/year on water bills
Multi-Family Onsite non-potable reuse Long-term savings for affordable housing residents
Large Industrial Cooling tower make-up The HEB distribution center in San Antonio saved 6 million gallons annually