Improving Quality of Life With Water Recycling
Many households waste a lot of water and don’t really think about the amount. It is not that household members mean to be environmentally wasteful, but water is a resource that is often simply taken for granted when it is available from a treatment plant or mains.
Of course, water quickly takes on more importance when restrictions are put in place by the local authorities. Water restrictions in Australia are common because of the drought conditions afflicting the continent. In some parts of Australia, such as the south east, over 75% of river water is now drawn for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes. The depletion of the surface water has aggravated the drought caused by climate conditions. When you reduce your use of nature’s water supply, you are improving your natural environment which in turn improves the quality of life.
Water is quickly becoming a scarce resource and should be treated as such. When household water usage is restricted, the quality of life can actually decline. The investment of time and money put into landscaping is lost for example. Without water, the only option is to allow the natural yard to wither and die or to substitute less attractive and heat seeking materials such as stone.
Everyone has a civic responsibility to do what is necessary to preserve the environment’s resources which includes water. But in doing so, you can improve the quality of life in many ways. It is a win-win proposition.
Choosing a Rainwater Recycling Company
When you decide to install a rainwater tank, you want to make sure you choose the right company. Not all rainwater tanks are made equal and not all rain water companies give the same level of service. The last thing you want to do is buy a tank unable to withstand the rigours of rain collection or choose a company which is not thoroughly knowledgeable about the particular weather conditions experienced in Australia.
There are quite a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a rainwater recycling company. Some of the factors are concerned with service and some are concerned with product.
Service
- Knowledgeable service technicians
- Ability to efficiently install rainwater system
- Understands Australian rebate laws and is able to provide assistance obtaining appropriate rebates
- Installs a variety of tanks with differently configured piping systems
- Knows how to figure household or agricultural water needs
- Has excellent reputation
- Provides references from satisfied customers upon request
- Efficiently installs tanks
- Able to configure water tank systems for future expansion if desired
- Offers delivery services
- Offers on-time delivery
- Knows local building and health regulations
How a Rainwater System Works During Drought
Much of Australia has been in drought condition for many years. The climate is dry under normal conditions, but the problem has been made worse by global warming and excessively warm ocean currents. One of the consequences of this weather pattern has been a change in the amount of rainfall and the pattern of rainfall. There are periods of long dry spells which are broken up by heavy rainfalls.
When the rain falls, you want to be prepared to collect it for household or agricultural use. A rain water tank makes it possible to collect the rain for later use. The key to maximizing the effectiveness of the rain water tank is to use the water regularly. If you think about it, this only makes sense. Instead of hording water waiting for the next heavy rainfall, you can make better use of your tank water by using it on a day to day basis. This will create the storage capability needed for collecting new rain water while also keeping the water fresh.
Making Water More Predictable
During a drought, rainfall is unpredictable and often sporadic. But when it does rain, it may be extremely heavy and produce a large amount of litres. The rainwater tank can store all the rain needed for both external and internal use. When used for household purposes such as toilets, for example, you can save up to 20% of the mains water normally used for this purpose.
Changes in World Water Supplies Over the Last Decades
When you read about world water supplies the information presents a very grim picture for many countries. There is a lot of talk about global warming and it is a hotly debated topic. But the truth is that whether or not you believe it is a fact, the warming of the earth’s surface is leading to significant chances in rainfall patterns.
Global warming is a term used to describe the increase in the earth’s average temperature. In the last 100 years, the surface temperature of the earth has risen by 1 degree Fahrenheit or .8 degrees Celsius. That may not sound like a lot but it has led to major changes in where and when rain falls. It has also led to some melting of the polar glaciers which also changes the sea level. When sea levels change, rainfall patterns change too.
Thirsty World
When the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, addressed a forum in January 2008 on the availability of clean and safe water, it quickly became clear there are many parts of the world where water is a scarce resource. Places such as the Middle East and North Africa, parts of China, India and Australia are experiencing droughts which are expected to get worse. Australia, for example, has experienced a 30 year drought due to warm ocean currents and it is not expected to end anytime soon.
Teach Children about the Environment…Install a Rainwater System
Children learn many important things in life by observing how the adults around them act or listening to the things they say. Today the environment is a topic that is being discussed more and more in the home and at school. This is especially true in Australia where a water shortage is projected to become a critical problem within the next 10 to 20 years. One of the best ways to teach children about the environment is to show them actual and practical ways they can address issues such as water management.
Water is an ever increasing scarce resource due to a number of factors including changing climate conditions, overdevelopment, and population growth. Water is one of those resources developed nation such as Australia and the United States have taken for granted for many years. Just turn on the tap and clear, cool water is available.
As rainfall has continued to decrease, interest in water conservation has increased proportionately. Managing water is a challenge that all countries must meet if they expect to have enough water to serve their populations. Right now it is estimated there are billions of people who already do not have access to clean water in adequate amounts and it is going to get much worse unless corrective steps are taken.
Benefits of Rainwater Recycling for Agricultural Purposes
According to the Natural Water Commission, people use 300 litres of water each day, yet they only drink 1 or 2 litres. The other litres are used to produce food and manufactured goods. Most people don’t think of water use when they look at the shirt they wear or the food they eat, but these types of activities use most of the water in Australia.
Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in Australia. In almost every state in this vast country, agriculture accounts for 65% of all water usage. Some reports place the number as high as 70%. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, 27% of all farms use irrigation as their primary means of crop watering. Other agricultural uses of water include watering pastures for livestock grazing, providing drinking water for stock, and for livestock and building cleaning. The Australian farming industry uses most of the water for livestock, both dairy and non-dairy, and for growing cotton and rice.
These figures actually hold up around the world. Up to 70% of water use is used in agriculture to produce food and fibres for textile production. The remaining water is used by households, mining, mains systems, industries, electric and gas production, and for forestry and fishing purposes.
With such high agricultural use of water in Australia, a program of water conservation must include ways to supply adequate agricultural water supplies while also making efficient use of this scarce natural resource.
Environmental Predictions of Water Shortages
Australia has the lowest average annual rainfall of all the continents at 472mm per the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Not only is the continent naturally dry because of normal climactic conditions, drought conditions have worsened due to El Niño-Southern Oscillation which reduces rainfall further in the Spring and Winter seasons. This has led to growing concerns that the entire continent’s population must address the issue of water supply and consumption now in order to prepare for population growth.
The environmental predictions of water shortages in Australia in relation to increasing populations make it very clear that Australians must address the problem in terms of long term solutions. As of June 2007, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported there are 21 million people living in Australia. In 20 years the population is expected to increase to somewhere between 26 to 29 million people. Obviously, if there is a water shortage now then the problem will only be aggravated with continued population increases.
The Australian population grows by approximately 1.5% every year. Per the Natural Water Commission, the major cities in Australia are experiencing low water storage amounts. Click Here To Read More »
Materials Used in Rainwater Collection System
A rainwater collection system does exactly what it sounds like…collects rainwater. In Australia, the dry climate has made the use of rainwater collection tanks a practical solution to a difficult problem. You need water for many reasons besides drinking. You need water for doing your laundry, flushing toilets, watering gardens and doing a myriad of outdoor cleaning chores. In fact, in South Australia up to 30% of the homes are already using a rainwater collection system and in the outback they have enabled people to obtain adequate water supplies despite the arid conditions.
The materials used in a rainwater collection system are fairly simple, because the system itself is efficient and easy to install. You can choose two different basic setups, and the one you choose determines the kinds of materials you will need.
Using Gravity and the Laws of Nature
Choosing an Effective Rain Water Collection System
A major concern for Australians who are awakening to our national water shortage is how to choose the most effective rain water collection system for their homes. As we all come face to face with the water shortage crisis we move through our panic into the clarity of informed decision making. But once we decide that we need a rain water collection system, we are frequently at a loss as to how to move forward from there.
There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing a rain water collection system. The cost, benefit, size and location are the most critical factors. The cost of the system will be offset by reduced water bills and the peace that stems from knowing you are helping the planet and future generations. That doesn’t mean you disregard the financial aspect of the choice. Of course you must shop around and compare quality with price to reach the final decision.
Determining Your Water Needs
The benefits of a system to your home and garden will be visible to you. In some areas that are prone to bush fires this rain water collection system could very well save your home. The water can be used for fire fighting purposes. It can also be used for cleaning any outdoor items like your automobile or farm implements.
How a Rainwater System is Installed
The ease of installing a rain water collection system may just surprise you. It can be done in very little time, and you can begin to realize savings immediately. When you finally realize that water preservation is not a choice any longer, and has become a grim necessity in many parts of Australia, you may begin to desire to become part of the solution and no longer be part of the problem.
Installation of a rain water collection system begins with the desire to make a difference in your world. Once the desire is there all that is left is to take the actions to make those desires your reality. You can call a local installer of water tanks and make an appointment. You can ask them to give you a free estimate for the cost of installing a water recycling system.
Ask the Right Questions
When the sales person arrives, you should be prepared. Have your list of questions and concerns available so they can be resolved before the installer arrives to perform the work. If you do your own research, you will discover there are a variety of ways to conserve water and rain water collection in tanks is a great place to start.