Ideas for Sustainable Living
Savings from the Sky
When the household is on a water meter, every running or dripping tap becomes an issue. Reducing water usage by installing rainwater tanks makes very good sense. Rainwater can be used for watering the garden, washing clothes, cleaning the car and flushing the toilet.
Rainwater diverted for household use means less is going into gutters, stormwater drains and perhaps overflowing into the city sewers. Using rainwater reduces flooding and pollution.
Before connecting a rainwater tank to household plumbing, a building consent must be obtained. A consent may also be needed to install a water tank if it is going to supply the house tank.
When connecting a rainwater system to the plumbing of a house, by law the home owner has to ensure the mains water is isolated from the rainwater system. This requires a "dual check valve mechanism", or a backflow prevention device. A qualified plumber has to install this and a building consent is required.
To collect rainwater for the garden, any large, watertight container will do. Set it up so the downpipe from the roof feeds into it, and cover it with a strong insect screen to stop mosquitoes invading and animals from getting trapped. In periods of high rainfall it would pay to be able to reconnect downpipes to the stormwater system to prevent overflowing.
Fit a tap to the container, or fit a soak hose or ‘dripper’ irrigation system to it. A tap needs to be installed in such a way that children won’t drink the water. A locking cap or similar handicap is necessary, as the rainwater may be unfit for human consumption. Puttung a sign up to that effect would be smart.
Rainwater may have been gathered off contaminated surfaces, or stored in an unsafe vessel. PVC piping is in question for safe drinking water. Any water intending to be redirected for people to drink needs to be clean and safe. A basic rainwater collection tank is easy to install and can be relatively inexpensive. Costs vary depending on the tank material, and installation and delivery requirements.
Other costs will depend on whether the rainwater will need a permit for installation. This may include the pipes, filters or treatment, any plumbing requirements, building consent fees, and annual inspection fees.
Savings from the Sky
When the household is on a water meter, every running or dripping tap becomes an issue. Reducing water usage by installing rainwater tanks makes very good sense. Rainwater can be used for watering the garden, washing clothes, cleaning the car and flushing the toilet.
Rainwater diverted for household use means less is going into gutters, stormwater drains and perhaps overflowing into the city sewers. Using rainwater reduces flooding and pollution.
Before connecting a rainwater tank to household plumbing, a building consent must be obtained. A consent may also be needed to install a water tank if it is going to supply the house tank.
When connecting a rainwater system to the plumbing of a house, by law the home owner has to ensure the mains water is isolated from the rainwater system. This requires a "dual check valve mechanism", or a backflow prevention device. A qualified plumber has to install this and a building consent is required.
To collect rainwater for the garden, any large, watertight container will do. Set it up so the downpipe from the roof feeds into it, and cover it with a strong insect screen to stop mosquitoes invading and animals from getting trapped. In periods of high rainfall it would pay to be able to reconnect downpipes to the stormwater system to prevent overflowing.
Fit a tap to the container, or fit a soak hose or ‘dripper’ irrigation system to it. A tap needs to be installed in such a way that children won’t drink the water. A locking cap or similar handicap is necessary, as the rainwater may be unfit for human consumption. Puttung a sign up to that effect would be smart.
Rainwater may have been gathered off contaminated surfaces, or stored in an unsafe vessel. PVC piping is in question for safe drinking water. Any water intending to be redirected for people to drink needs to be clean and safe. A basic rainwater collection tank is easy to install and can be relatively inexpensive. Costs vary depending on the tank material, and installation and delivery requirements.
Other costs will depend on whether the rainwater will need a permit for installation. This may include the pipes, filters or treatment, any plumbing requirements, building consent fees, and annual inspection fees.
