Greywater Harvesting | The Water and Solar Company

Western Cape faces severe restrictions – Car washes under the loop.

Nov 122010

The necessity of saving water is still in our faces, just as we thought it might be the beginning of the end with the resent rains we had. But just the opposite is becoming a reality. At Water Rhapsody, we want to urge the public to start another thinking mode than what they were used to. Not just during or because of restrictions, but as a general way of thinking. Let us not be so narrow minded, that the availability of water are no concern to us at this stage of our lives, and we think we will be gone by the time it really becomes a problem.

We have a system called the Poseidon Advantage, where the grey water from car washes are going through a cleaning process, and re-using the same used, but clean water to wash the cars again. Car washes are being targeted to invest in systems to conserve water, for their demand of washes might increase significantly during these droughts.

Have a look at this article in the Port Elizabeth Express by Monique Vermeulen on the 3rd of Nov:

Despite much need rain over the last three weeks, the region’s water crisis continue to worsen with supply dams rapidly drying up.

If it does not rain significantly in the next few weeks, residents and businesses will face even more severe water restrictions to be introduces by the Department of Water Affairs, which will inevitably have a negative effect on the economy. At a recent Infrastructure and Engineering Committee meeting, it was said that further water restrictions, with a devastating impact on industry, will be unavoidable unless dam levels rose significantly. “We expect the Department of Water Affairs and other role players, which includes the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, to consider the curtailment of water resources when the combined dam level capacity reaches 30%. This could happen in three to four weeks if we do not get more rain,” said Municipal Media Management Officer, Kupido Baron. When asked what these restrictions would entail, Baron said that he was not at liberty to predict what the outcome of the operational meeting would be.

The average level of the dams currently stands at just over 31%, and the current predictions by the Municipality suggest that the Metro will run out of water July 2011. The current water situation is painting a bleak picture for car washes.

In an open letter to car washes, the Municipality requested the urgent implementation of water-saving measures. The letter states that more people are making use of car washes to conserve their own home usage and to comply with the rules for domestic consumption. “This has served only to divert the usage from one consumer to another. The result of this has seen an expansion of many car washes with little or no usage control. Therefore, all car washes are urgently requested to take measures that will save water and/or harness rain water, so as to reduce consumption of this precious commodity. It is recommended that car washes erect water tanks to collect rain water. The letter furthermore states that car washes should keep water usage statistics as the Municipality intends to acknowledge car washes that proactively save water as part of their operations

In May this year, the Municipality applied for R1.6 billion in drought relief from the Eastern Cape Provincial and National Government, but to date has not heard from them. According to a daily newspaper, the application is still with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which is waiting for additional information from the Eastern Cape government on how it spent received disaster funds.

First on the list of emergency measured is the construction of a desalination plant at Swartkops at a cost of R750 million. Additional emergency measures include the fast tracking of the Nooitgedaght-low-level scheme (R650 million), accessing the low-level storage (8000 ml) in the Impofu Dam (R5 Million), the sinking of Boreholes (R100 million), the repair of water leaks at schools (R50 Million), and the detection of water loss (R20 Million).

Please take your time to scroll through the whole of this website: have a look at our systems of Rainwater Harvesting (Grand Opus), Grey water Re-use (Garden Rhapsody and Second Movement), the saving/recycling of Backwash water (Poolside tank), saving on the amount of water used to flush toilets with (the Multi Flush)

The Monster in your Garden

Greywater Harvesting, rainwater harvesting, water harvesting No Responses »

Nov 102010

We all have one! He lurks under a bush somewhere, only to be looked at once a month (if he is lucky). That dreaded money gobbler that just sits there waiting for you to open a tap or flush a toilet. And the little devil has a new trick – measures the water you use and charges extra on your bill for the amount you put down the drain. Who said monsters are not clever?

But now you have the ideal weapon against that horrible gadget …. WATER RHAPSODY.

Water Rhapsody has so many systems and devices for you to use in retaliation that you will almost love the little fellow.

Garden Rhapsody – Harvest your usable waste water (grey water) and use it to water your garden or even flush your toilets.
Multi-Flush – Install in place of your existing toilet flushing mechanisms and save a huge amount on your water usage.
Poolside Tank – Don’t put that pool backwash water down the drain. Collect it, treat it and return it to your pool. At 500l a time (four backwashes per month is 2000l) and the chemicals you save, it makes sense.
Grand Opus – The “Big Daddy” of all. Harvest your rainwater and use it in your house instead of municipal water. Now that is one for the books.

There are many households in South Africa who have used Water Rhapsody products and systems and each and every one saves on their water bill (and now the sewage levy as well) to a lesser or greater degree. Some have water bills of ZERO Rand.

Now who says monsters are clever? Tame yours and make it your friend.

Original post by http://waterharvest.co.za/2010/11/10/the-monster-in-your-garden/

Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting

Greywater Harvesting, rainwater harvesting No Responses »

Oct 252010

Everyday millions of people, like you, wake up and take a hot shower before starting their day.
If its good enough for him its good enough for your garden
Some take an evening bath to wind down and relax while they soak in the tub.
Daughters enjoy the luxury of a long wash while attending to their locks.
For young children bath time is still a game of how to get you wet.
The bathroom tap runs while teeth are brushed, hands are washed and beard are shaved.
Family loads of washing flood the laundry daily.
An average four person household sends well over 125,000 litres of reusable water down the drain each year from bathrooms and laundries alone…
Rainwater fills your gutter and gushes out your downpipes to the stormwater drain.
The pool starts its backwash cycle, the water level drops as it drains.
and every time you flush, that’s more water gone to waste.

Where does all of that used water go?

If you have a septic system this water mixes with your black water (from flushing toilets) and eventually goes into the septic tank and drain fields. Possible ground or drinking water contamination could result. If you live in a municipality it might go into the sanitary sewer system.

In many parts of the country fresh water is scarce, especially during the hotter seasons of the year. Lawn watering contributes a great deal to freshwater depletion. Lower dam levels, groundwater and rivers result from increased fresh water usage.

There may be a better way…

Water Rhapsody greywater systems allow homeowners to filter greywater for use in watering gardens, plants and flushing toilets. Not disposing of greywater into septic systems keeps the septic tank and drain field from becoming overtaxed with fluids. In cities the sanitary sewer system also benefits from less volume of greywater to treat and process; preventing sewage spills.

What about Free Water?

This is possible too. If you could save up to 90% on your water bill and be off the grid and self sufficient over the rainy months then this option is for you. Rainwater harvesting offers you a unique sustainable solution to hand you your independence.

Modern rainwater harvesting systems allow the water tanks to be secretly placed away from the home and the soft rainwater to be send back into the house.

What are the options?

Continue paying exorbitant amounts every month on high water bills to ensure your garden survives summer. Keep in mind the water restriction may prevent you from irrigating.
Invest in a greywater system. Take the 125000 litres of water that gets drained to waste every year and irrigate your garden sanctuary. You will not only be exempt from water restriction, you will be saving the environment and your pocket.
Store and Harvest the rainwater that falls on your roof. Use this water inside your home and gain independence from the municipal water supply.

Alje van Hoorn Capewatersolutions

Rainwater Harvesting - Some Facts

Greywater Harvesting, Water tanks, rainwater harvesting 8 Responses »

Sep 232010

Rainwater harvesting can (a) assure an independent water supply during water restrictions, that is though somewhat dependent on end use and maintenance, (b)usually of acceptable quality for household needs and (c) renewable at acceptable volumes despite forecast climate change (CSIRO, 2003). It produces beneficial externalities by reducing peak stormwater run off and processing costs. RH systems are simple to install and operate. Running costs are negligible, and they provide water at the point of consumption.

Rainwater harvesting can be adopted in cities to supplement the city’s other water supplies, to increase soil moisture levels for urban greenery, to raise the water table through artificial recharge, to mitigate urban flooding and to improve the quality of groundwater. In urban areas of the developed world, at a household level, non-potable uses of harvested rainwater include bathroom (i.e. shower/bath/basin), flushing toilets and washing laundry. Indeed in hard water areas it is superior to municipal water for laundry because of its compatibility with detergents and soaps. Rainwater may require treatment prior to use for drinking, depending on anthropogenic (e.g. vehicle exhaust) and natural (e.g. Coal.) contaminants.

In New Zealand, many houses away from the larger towns and cities routinely rely on rainwater collected from roofs as the only source of water for all household activities. This is almost inevitably the case for many holiday homes.

Rainwater harvesting is particularly relevant in areas such as the Garden Route where relatively good rainfall is experienced during summer and winter but due to the towns growing at a rapid rate the dams cannot cope. Water shortages have become more frequent in many towns and cities around South Africa.

South Africa's solution to the drought.

Garden Route water, Greywater Harvesting, rainwater harvesting, water harvesting 5 Responses »

Sep 212010

A typical Rainwater Harvesting system, installed by Water Rhapsody.

Rainwater Harvesting is fast becoming a necessity to survival in some parts of South Africa. It’s the best way of going green and being kind to the environment. The Garden Route is currently going through the worst drought in 153 years, with heavy water restrictions imposed in Mosselbay.

Today it was confirmed that Beaufort West is experiencing its worst drought in over 100 years. Water levels of the Gamka dam reached an all-time low of minus nine percent last week. The town now rely on borehole water.

South Africa’s dams can no longer supply the volume of water required by ever growing population. There is not a single river left in the Western Cape that can be dammed anymore. We simply have no other options.

Water Conservation including Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater re-use, is the only long term sustainable solution to South Africa’s water crises. Continue reading »

Eco-friendly Laundry

Greywater Harvesting 6 Responses »

Sep 152010

Fresh Laundry In the process of going green, people need to be informed properly; about available products and which product will suit there needs best. Before making use of your water tank and greywater for irrigation purposes, how do you go about making sure that the water being used in the garden will not be harmful to any plants or your lawn? Many atimes, when installing our Garden Rhapsody System, the questions are being raised about what laundry cleaning detergent to use and where it is distributed? Even if laundry water is not uses onto your garden, shouldn’t it be our responsibility to switch to the greener option for a healthier lifestyle and making a difference to the environment…..?

Why not use conventional laundry detergents? Continue reading »

Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage.
Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 lt a month.
There’s no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.
The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 lt of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18 lt per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you’re used to.
Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it. This saves water and energy, and reduces the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won’t need to run the water down the sink until it’s cool enough to drink.
Washing fruit and vegetables in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage.
Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
Use a sink strainer.
Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products. There’s a great range to choose from these days and they’re much better for our environment.
Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.
Most washing machines have a load adjustment button or dial, so try to set this to match the amount of washing you’re doing. If your machine doesn’t have a load adjustment function, try to wait until you have enough washing for a full load.
Installing one of the latest 3 star/AAA rating showerheads can give you a great shower and save you around 10 lt of water a minute. They also save you energy costs, as you’ll use less hot water.
To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
Electric or fuel powered leaf blowers work more efficiently than hosing down paths and driveways.
Pool covers reduce the amount of water you need to keep your pool full and running efficiently.

Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha

Western Cape faces severe restrictions – Car washes under the loop.

The Monster in your Garden

Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting

Everyday millions of people, like you, wake up and take a hot shower before starting their day.

Some take an evening bath to wind down and relax while they soak in the tub.

Daughters enjoy the luxury of a long wash while attending to their locks.

For young children bath time is still a game of how to get you wet.

The bathroom tap runs while teeth are brushed, hands are washed and beard are shaved.

Family loads of washing flood the laundry daily.

An average four person household sends well over 125,000 litres of reusable water down the drain each year from bathrooms and laundries alone…

Rainwater fills your gutter and gushes out your downpipes to the stormwater drain.

The pool starts its backwash cycle, the water level drops as it drains.

and every time you flush, that’s more water gone to waste.