Building Our Off-Grid Shower: Sustainable Living in the Harsh Desert
This summer, we took another big step toward sustainable off-grid living by building our own **off-grid shower system**. The setup uses three IBC totes — one buried in the ground and two for the shower itself. The design allows the shower to **drain directly into the buried tote**, creating a graywater recycling system we can later use to **water trees and plants** around our homestead.
Living off-grid means every project has to serve more than one purpose, and this shower does just that — providing comfort while also helping us prepare for future growth on our land.
Our next step is researching the best **drought-tolerant trees and plants** that can survive in our extreme New Mexico climate. Out here, we face it all:
* **High winds** ️
* **Sandstorms** ️
* **Snow and single-digit winters** ❄️
* **Triple-digit summer heat**
* **Intense UV exposure** ☀️
We want to choose wisely so that the water from our shower doesn’t go to waste but instead helps create shade, windbreaks, and food sources for the future.
This project reminds us that **off-grid living isn’t about perfection — it’s about creativity, resilience, and finding ways to work with nature instead of against it.**
Stay tuned as we share updates on which trees and plants we decide to grow, and how our off-grid shower continues to play a role in making this desert homestead thrive.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 