News — Water saving

Currently and in the last month some parts of New Zealand had torrential rainfall, after previous droughts in part of the country. How can the country make better use of the rain? What is rainwater harvesting and how does it work? Rainwater harvesting is the capture, storage and use of rainwater. Anybody can do it and it can be designed and customized to suit the needs of the user (potable water from rainwater for example). There are several types of rainwater harvesting systems, the following three are the main ones: In-situ rainwater harvesting refers to the capture of rainwater where it falls. This system is useful...

Every dwelling, domestic and commercial, should have a rainwater harvesting system! Here's a quick overview what is required in terms of material in order to use the water inside the dwelling for flushing toilets, the washing machine and for irrigation. By the way, the Homestar rating system offers up to four points for dwellings which reduce the consumption of potable water in and around the dwelling through the collection and use of rainwater. Apartment developments are also rewarded for incentivizing conservation through individual metering of each dwelling. A water calculator is used to estimate the percentage of household water demand able to...

Owners of a small lifestyle block on the outskirts of Tauranga decided that a Greywater Recycling System is the way forward to futureproof their house.    Bathroom greywater from shower, tub and sink is collected in a 500 ltr tank, treated via the AQUALOOP system, transferred into a 500 ltr clear water tank and reused for flushing toilets and irritation when required. Thus saving on precious potable water. Installed in  the enclosure is the pumping unit RAINMASTER ECO, AQUALOOP Blower and the AQUALOOP controller. 2 x 500 ltr tanks are installed behind the enclosure. www.aloaqua.co.nz      

Time to look into Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling. www.aloaqua.co.nz Christchurch water charges to be considered next year 123RF.COM Gardening is a major user of water, particularly in the Garden City. The Christchurch City Council will once again consider charging residents for the water they use. . Staff are working on a report on ways the city's water can be priced, which will likely include a volumetric charge. The issue will be included in next year's Long Term Plan (LTP) process. Water currently comes under a general rates bill, meaning water costs are tied to a property's value. A volumetric rate would charge for the amount...