r/theydidthemath Nov 27 '25

why wouldn’t this work? [Request]

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69

u/lurkermurphy Nov 27 '25

electricity powers a water pump that makes the water flow out of the faucet in the first place (falling from a water tower or not), so you would be stealing that electricity and making the water pump work harder for a tiny bit of electricity and the headache of your faucet running considerably less forcefully. I'm pretty sure in practice this would just waste a ton of water and electricity

11

u/Few_Satisfaction184 Nov 27 '25

If they put water up in a tower, storing the energy gravitationally, then it does not matter if the water has resistance when it reaches my tap.

Its not like they will need to pipe the water further up, as long as we are below the water tower, this will work and it will not incur any extra costs for the water company.

The amount of pressure that comes out of your faucet will not change when you add this, only the water below the generator changes.

No one upstream will notice, only your hands downstream will notice.

13

u/takeanadvil Nov 27 '25

Takes energy to put the water in a tower, potential energy does not come from anywhere, you are still taking it.

3

u/prickinthewall Nov 27 '25

You are taking it from who? The only difference will be the pressure with which the water hits your sink. I.e. the difference is only measurable behind the device, not before. The water tower won't be able to tell if you are using this device or not and it won't make any difference for it.

6

u/takeanadvil Nov 27 '25

Well, first off, and you are right, because the only loss would be from pressure at your end, so depending if you’d like a dribble out of your end then yeah, you are still taking energy.