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Building In Australia - Save Water

Clean drinking water is taken for granted by most Australians and we have even grown accustomed to wasting this precious resource on watering of lawns and washing cars. Particular events for example Sydney's water contamination some years ago, and recent droughts around the country, have forced governments to take a serious look at our use of water. Watering restrictions, subsidies on rainwater tanks and taps with flow control valves as well as higher charges for water have helped reduce its wasteful use. Collecting rainwater and recycling greywater (from bathrooms and laundries) are the best techniques to reduce our use of town water. Each state has various regulations on the use of greywater and property builders should check with their water authority for a system that complies. Only 5% of town water is actually drunk and, except for water utilized in toilet flushing, the rest may be reused inside the garden. Greywater filters and storage tanks are readily available and are well worth the initial price of installation. Over 50% of household water is used on the garden. So it makes good sense to plant a water wise garden which is heavily mulched and to install a reticulation system that puts water into the ground; not a sprinkler system that permits water to be blown away or evaporated off. A ground moisture monitor and timer are also helpful in minimising water wastage. At present it's left up to individuals to install grey or rainwater recycling systems in their homes. Leadership from the relevant authorities is lacking.

The best way to save water for future use:

Quite usually rainwater and greywater collection, storage and reuse can be a secondary thought that property owners address after their home has been constructed. For rainwater collection, it's ideal to construct a uncomplicated roof design with minimal bends within the gutter to enable fast drainage. A lengthy narrow building is most suited for collecting rainwater. The size of gutter and number of downpipes required is going to be dependent on the area of roof that can be drained. It is best to get advice from the local council as to what is adequate for the location. The specific climatic regime you live in will establish drainage requirements. The kind of tank and its location will depend on its size, the room offered and the material it's made of. Interconnecting downpipes which are exposed to view can be unsightly. A big concrete tank set below ground will allow pipework to be buried out of sight. A little submersible pump can then be utilized to draw water for re-use. Above ground tanks are cheaper and simpler to install.

How you can recycle grey water:
Building In Australia - Save Water


For greywater recycling it is crucial for the plumber to connect bathroom (not toilet) and laundry discharge pipes together and install a diverter valve on the line. A diverter will allow you to divert the grey water to the sewer (or septic system) if and when the greywater storage tank fills or if you want to service it. For this reason it is easiest to do this work at the construction stage. It will be a lot more high-priced if it's retrofitted.

Greywater filtering systems frequently include tiny tanks with coarse and fine sands and baffles that filter the water as it enters the primary storage tank. Your water authority can advise what techniques of filtration are acceptable. A backward sloping site is perfect for a below ground storage tank since the tank could be installed in the backyard with minimal digging to present the required falls and gravity does the rest.

Building homes in an area prone to bushfires:

Bushfire safety is an problem that requires a common-sense approach, balancing native vegetation and urban development. A bush setting with lots of native trees will present shade in summer, protect the soil from erosion, offer a habitat for native birds and other animals and improves the liveability of houses. In Australia there is also the possibility of bushfire disasters. Home-owners and local authorities need to work together to reduce the fire risk. A lot of councils need particular development approvals if the proposed building is in a bushfire region. Avoiding open under-floor spaces or other areas where leaves and other debris can accumulate, making gutters quickly accessible for cleaning, and reducing the use of flammable supplies, are obvious design considerations. Contact your local bushfire service, your council or your insurance provider.

by: Peter Smith




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