July Edition 2018
Garden Water
Garden Water
Ireland is usually green for good reasons. With a relatively wet climate and mild temperatures throughout the year we don't normally have a water issue. The recent heatwave has focussed our attention on why we should conserve or reduce our use of water? We commonly believe that It's a free an abundant resource nad we should be more concerned about how much we rely on tap water ALL YEAR round.
After a very snowy cold March we've experienced a June heatwave and dry spell. It's not often we get these extremes and the grass lawns everywhere have been baked dry and our plants are parched. We know that with the slightest bit of rain the grass will soon regain it's lush green colour and we're not kidding ourselves that the great weather will stay with us all summer.
After a very snowy cold March we've experienced a June heatwave and dry spell. It's not often we get these extremes and the grass lawns everywhere have been baked dry and our plants are parched. We know that with the slightest bit of rain the grass will soon regain it's lush green colour and we're not kidding ourselves that the great weather will stay with us all summer.
So why should we change our habits to conserve water when it costs us nothing?
So why should we change our habits to conserve water when it costs us nothing?
FREE Supply
FREE Supply
Unfortunately tap water is not at all free. Hidden in our taxes we pay for water treatment and the chemicals and processes of purifying all our tap water has a cost to the environment. Its distribution and consumption is without a driving incentive to reduce or conserve water use by our growing consumer population. Are we heading into trouble?
Unfortunately tap water is not at all free. Hidden in our taxes we pay for water treatment and the chemicals and processes of purifying all our tap water has a cost to the environment. Its distribution and consumption is without a driving incentive to reduce or conserve water use by our growing consumer population. Are we heading into trouble?
Without a personal cost is there any reason to conserve anything?
Without a personal cost is there any reason to conserve anything?
If any other resource were financially free we would use it without concern until it had an impact on either our pockets or our health, not to mention the welfare of the future generations to come.
If any other resource were financially free we would use it without concern until it had an impact on either our pockets or our health, not to mention the welfare of the future generations to come.
Water is readily available in the sea, rivers and lakes and ground wells. Tap water however has been artificially cleaned and purified and yet we flush it down the toilet just as much as we cook with it or drink it.
Water is readily available in the sea, rivers and lakes and ground wells. Tap water however has been artificially cleaned and purified and yet we flush it down the toilet just as much as we cook with it or drink it.
Abundant Supply
Abundant Supply
Ireland is very green for good reason - with a mild climate it rains a lot which is great for maintaining a lush green landscape for cattle and crops.
Ireland is very green for good reason - with a mild climate it rains a lot which is great for maintaining a lush green landscape for cattle and crops.
The recent heatwave means the ground is absolutely bone dry and farmers will be demanding huge water supplies. Without it crops will fail and we'll soon notice the rising cost of our shopping bill from imported supermarket produce.
The recent heatwave means the ground is absolutely bone dry and farmers will be demanding huge water supplies. Without it crops will fail and we'll soon notice the rising cost of our shopping bill from imported supermarket produce.
The domestic water supply cycle is costly and wasteful at every stage: capture, treat, store, transport, use, return.
The domestic water supply cycle is costly and wasteful at every stage: capture, treat, store, transport, use, return.
Water Meter
Water Meter
In the manner that they were introduced which was embroiled in politics, profit, laws, rights, and EU meddling there really was no way a water meter charge was going to be acceptable. Constitutionally and legally challenged it was doomed to failure from the outset and firmly rejected by the majority of the population.
In the manner that they were introduced which was embroiled in politics, profit, laws, rights, and EU meddling there really was no way a water meter charge was going to be acceptable. Constitutionally and legally challenged it was doomed to failure from the outset and firmly rejected by the majority of the population.
However a water meter creates a measurement and statistic of how we use tap water which until now has been based on other countries. Not only could they measure domestic and commercial usage but identify where there are leaks to the underground pipe network.
However a water meter creates a measurement and statistic of how we use tap water which until now has been based on other countries. Not only could they measure domestic and commercial usage but identify where there are leaks to the underground pipe network.
In the 90's a figure was being banded around the UK by environmental concern groups that for every litre coming out the tap 4 were lost to leaks. We can't measure this since we've never looked at the meter.
In the 90's a figure was being banded around the UK by environmental concern groups that for every litre coming out the tap 4 were lost to leaks. We can't measure this since we've never looked at the meter.
What's rain water good for?
What's rain water good for?
The most obvious and easiest use is simply for watering the garden where, in warmer months, we use 1000's of litres of it. Our rain water is ph neutral, stored at ground temperature and better for the garden because it contains no cleaning additives and hasn't been stripped of minerals.
The most obvious and easiest use is simply for watering the garden where, in warmer months, we use 1000's of litres of it. Our rain water is ph neutral, stored at ground temperature and better for the garden because it contains no cleaning additives and hasn't been stripped of minerals.
Dry Spell
Dry Spell
Everywhere is currently bone dry! The recent attempt to plant the verge of the Kentstown and Metges Road former Petrol Station encountered soil that was bone dry and rock hard so in no way suitable for planting yet. Were going to have to wait for rain and our gardens too are all suffering in the heat too.
Everywhere is currently bone dry! The recent attempt to plant the verge of the Kentstown and Metges Road former Petrol Station encountered soil that was bone dry and rock hard so in no way suitable for planting yet. Were going to have to wait for rain and our gardens too are all suffering in the heat too.
Capture
Capture
Harvesting rainwater is easy. A small storage tank connected to the roof's downpipe captures the rain water with the excess flowing into the main drain. Simple and unexciting it refills itself as and when it rains to provide 1000's of litres.
Harvesting rainwater is easy. A small storage tank connected to the roof's downpipe captures the rain water with the excess flowing into the main drain. Simple and unexciting it refills itself as and when it rains to provide 1000's of litres.
The size of rainwater tank in use in countries with a drier climate like Australia is often far larger than our garden sheds. Our local supplies are between 100Ltr to 200Lts depending on space available whereas theirs contain 1000's of litres because they have less frequent rain.
The size of rainwater tank in use in countries with a drier climate like Australia is often far larger than our garden sheds. Our local supplies are between 100Ltr to 200Lts depending on space available whereas theirs contain 1000's of litres because they have less frequent rain.
Why are they worth having?
Why are they worth having?
- Gardens prefer rainwater to tap water.
- Gardens prefer rainwater to tap water.
- The rainwater supply is free and usually frequent.
- The rainwater supply is free and usually frequent.
- It provides an outdoor tap without any plumbers help for both the front and back of house.
- It provides an outdoor tap without any plumbers help for both the front and back of house.
- You're doing your part to reduce tap water consumption.
- You're doing your part to reduce tap water consumption.
Have you got one or would you be interested in getting one?
Have you got one or would you be interested in getting one?
We'd be interested to see if we could make a collective purchase. A bulk buy would mean a worthwhile discount and over the summer there's plenty of able bodied students looking to obtain some pocket money in exchange for connecting them up for those who need the help.
We'd be interested to see if we could make a collective purchase. A bulk buy would mean a worthwhile discount and over the summer there's plenty of able bodied students looking to obtain some pocket money in exchange for connecting them up for those who need the help.
Contact
Contact
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Read Next in July Edition 2018
