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Feb 10 2008

Saving Water : Designing a water-efficient house

This is the sixth and final article (part I, II, III, IV and V) in our series on Saving Water. Living in Sydney, Australia I’m acutely aware of the value of this precious resource.

Designing a new house? Great. This article looks at the many things you can do at this point which will radically reduce the amount of water you use – without adding anything at all to the total cost.

Vondelpark, Amsterdam

By how much can you reduce it? In many areas, it’s quite possible to disconnect from the mains supply altogether – or at least to stop using water from that source.

Let’s get started.

Water conservation can be broken into three broad areas. These are :

  1. reduce the amount you use
  2. collect your rainwater *
  3. re-use it where possible (clean it as necessary)

Looking at it this way, you’ll see that it isn’t a single problem to be addressed. Several small changes will have a major impact.

* I realise that this could be placed in the ‘re-use’ category, but it’s such a key change that it’s been given a category of its own.

[Read more…]

Written by Scott Bird · Categorized: Environment · Tagged: Environment, Save Money, Saving Water

Jan 27 2008

Saving Water : Using Greywater

This is the fifth article in a 6 part series on Saving Water. See part 1 on measuring your tap water, part 2 on benefits of a water tank, part 3 on gutters and drains and part 4 on saving water around the house. Living in Sydney, Australia I’m acutely aware of the value of this precious resource.

When it comes to conserving water, this is the big one. As greywater comprises around three quarters of a household’s waste water, it’s well worth looking at. After all, saving water = saving money.

What is Greywater?

Garden hose
First, a definition.

The water you see around the house can generally be classified as one of three types –

White / fresh water : this is the clear water you drink.
Greywater / graywater : this water contains a small amount of dirt, and is water that has been previously used within the house. The water which leaves the washing machine, for example.
Blackwater : this is the waste water from the toilet.

Just remember the greywater = previously used part, and you’ll begin to see just how much of the stuff there is available.

[Read more…]

Written by Scott Bird · Categorized: Environment · Tagged: Saving Water, Trees, Vegetables

Jan 13 2008

Saving Water : How To Save Water Around Your House

This is the fourth article (part I, II, III) in a 6 part series on Saving Water. Living in Sydney, Australia I’m acutely aware of the value of this precious resource.

Shower headNo matter where you live, there are a number of ways you can save water in the house you already have. There are many excellent environmental reasons for doing this, but you’ll also benefit from something much more tangible – you’ll save money.
[Read more…]

Written by Scott Bird · Categorized: Weight Loss · Tagged: Environment, Kettle, Save Money, Saving Water, Water

Jan 06 2008

Saving water : Guttering and Drains

This is the third article (see Saving Water Part I and Saving Water Part II)
in a 6 part series on Saving Water. There are many environmental benefits of saving water of course, but for the end consumer, saving money seems to be the key. Living in Sydney, Australia I’m acutely aware of the value of saving water.

 

Rain on the roof Have you ever caught yourself standing indoors during a heavy downpour, wondering where all of the excess water ends up? Obviously the garden can only drink so much, the pool may take a little and the
water tank takes whatever it can.

However, the rest – the vast majority – is simply thrown away.

This article – on guttering and drains – looks at several ways to improve the flow of water around your house (so you can make the most of it), and take a few steps toward the ultimate water goal : any water that falls on your property, stays on your property. No more water bills. Ever.

[Read more…]

Written by Scott Bird · Categorized: Environment · Tagged: Environment, Saving Water, Water

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