Do you know that you pay for use of water and disposal of rain water down to sewers. And yet we are in the midst of equatorial rainforests where rain is in abundance. Can we collect non-potable water eg flush, garden, washing car etc.
Share your experience.
This is a research of what a roof can yield in a drought country. Imagine what we can do here. This morning it is raining like its raising Noah’s Ark. Yet when I wash for breakfast we are mindful we are paying precious dollars for what is falling free from the sky.
http://www.idrc.org.sg/en/ev-83064-201_800091-1-IDRC_ADM_INFO.html
“Researchers focused on collecting rainwater from metal roofs since 87% of the dwellings had galvanized iron roofs. A total of 55 rainfalls were measured and tests showed that the water had a lower bacterial count than stream or well water. Researchers found that the average volume of water collected from a single roof could supply water for 32-56 people for a whole year, or 64-113 people during the dry season. Researchers concluded that it was feasible to collect rainwater with suitable roof catchment techniques and adequate storage facilities.”
Of course PUB must have the first word.
http://www.pub.gov.sg/our_services/WaterSACollection.aspx?l1=2&l2=8&l3=5&l4=6
Their advisory note is here
http://www.pub.gov.sg/our_services/WaterSaNeaGuideLines.aspx?l1=2&l2=8&l3=5&l4=6
Are you aware that although gutters are discouraged, they are not banned. Follow the simple guidelines. You can benefit from it year after year.
What do you think?
Extract from “Element” from Spore Environment Council with a lead article from SM.
http://www.gvn.com.sg/sec/pdf/sept2000.pdf
Touches everything. Many helpful hints. See what Green labelling is about.
On water, it specifically recommends rainwater for watering plants.
I’ve always wondered why in our tropical climate we cannot have enough water. And the authorities have made it difficult to collect and use rainwater. It used to be that any attempt to siphon rainfall into a “home” system was illegal.
Now, with Green Labelling, we want to show the world that we are environment-friendly and that Singapore is world-class and world-first.
The Israelis have been using conservation systems for years and, indeed, the deserts have bloomed.
The village Thais have been collecting rainwater in jars for drinking and cleaning purposes for centuries.
And yet, in Singapore we are faced with water problems. Is it our own doing?
Wong KT,
I remember as a kid,we had to have water rationing. It was hard times.
When it rained, it was easy putting out the buckets to catch the rain. We even had one of those large ceramic pots that can hold 3 kids, to catch the rain. When it rained,the roof gutters channelled the water conveniently into it and we almost always had it full, BUT, it was a problem keeping it and the water clean.
The water was good for general cleaning purposes but not for consumption. The pot had to be covered all the time or the mosquitoes would get to the water and create another problem.
I think it was this mosquito problem that concerned the govt agency then. People were collecting water, but not covering their containers properly and mosquitoes had a field day. That was when “stagnant” water was not allowed.
Someone should come up with some sort of residential storage tank that is mosquito proof. Then we can each collect our own water when it rains, BUT, there is another but; for apartment dwellers, where to put the tank??
Wong KT,
In some places in India, the flat roofs channel any rain water into storage rooms but how clean the water is, I don’t know. I think some Meditterranean countries do this too.
Yes Kenneth, it is partly due to our own doing. People were quite ignorant then about the breeding of mosquitoes and they left their vessels uncovered. So we can’t blame the authorities for not allowing “stagnant” water. I don’t think it is disallowed to collect rain water for watering plants or cleaning, if the container is properly covered and kept meticulously free of mosquito larvae. I used to do that and was never told not to by the inspectors who came checking.
All HDB blocks will be upgraded to have an open tank at the roof top to collect rain water.
It will have a timer to release chemicals into the tank to kill the mozzies (do mozzies fly so high?).
The water collected will be channeled to flush the toilets. It is such a waste to use drinking water to flush away waste.
If it doesn’t rain for a long time and the water level drops below a certain level, a valve will open and water will flow from the drinking water tank to the rain water tank.
Hi Joy,
According to an Environmental inspector, mozzies “hop” haha. They fly some, piggy back on something or someone, then fly again and so on. So some even take the lift, hehe, ;-)like us.
The tank idea will take several years but it will eventually materialise. When that happens water won’t be any much cheaper I think. We’ll still have to pay for the maintainance of the tank and the chemicals etc. Conservancy charges will probably be upped. It will be a savings for them in terms of purification of the rain water.
Ooh Mary, time for Dan to add hip hop to his dance repertoire..heehaw..
Hi all,
Word of ADVICE, For those who LOVE GARDENING,
BEWARE DANGER LURKS AHEAD!
If the garden soil in your potted plants are NOT AERATED with a spade at least once a month ,it will HARDEN and 1 of my neighbours living at my block just learn this
EXPENSIVE lesson FINE $200 for BREEDING MOZZIES.
When the soil is harden, it forms an impervious layer and rain water cannot seep through and thus it stores ENOUCH water for Mozzies to breed.
Steven Chan ( Garden Lover )
Yes Steven. I learnt it the hard way too, but fortunate for me, I got away with a lecture then. It was years back and they were more lenient then.
Here’s the plan.
Water is collected into a open water feature which adds value and aesthetics to your home/estate. We can channel water from existing gutters using the entire roof.
The open water feature (fountain, water fall, fish pond etc) can have a enclosed and hidden balancing tank. This option is to reduce the open area to evaporation and store more water. If we have a small open area we can simply double deck with the open tank above the balancing tank. Water aeration is by solar powered pumps.
Non-potable water is then drawn from the balancing tank. As Joy aptly puts it
“If it doesn’t rain for a long time and the water level drops below a certain level, a valve will open and water will flow from the drinking water tank to the rain water tank.”
The final touch is a suggestion to have fishes in the water feature. No mozzies in theory.
But here we need aquaculturalist or a fishing hobbyist. Can anybody help. Can we have fish that we can eat. Then we can have sashimi or BBQ for house opening.
Do the experts think it is feasible. What fish can we put in and where can we get them?
Great idea… but you forget that fishes need to be fed, and with input, there will surely be output.. now another set of problems to deal with… no mozzie, got shit.. how?
Ann,
Since you asked, you get.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (Raising captive fish)and hydroponics (raising plants without soil) The challenge in practicing aquaponics without electricity is in pumping the water from the bottom of the fish tank where the manure collects. The manure is what feeds the plants in the hydroponic growing bed.
See here for a DIY complete system.
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1617
Here’s a neat system that you can buy off the shelf for about USD 2500
http://www.aquaponics.com/ShopKitsHFP.htm
Hi Wong,
Still waiting for your post to organise a visit for SHCians to Ivy’s Organic Farm.
Date,time,place to meet ?
steven
Good link, for info sake. Thanks. However, cannot use here, leh. HDB where got space to put that humongous “farm” tank.
Ann @ #17
There is actually avenue for both private and public estates. In both eco planting eg herb farm, nursery and water collection. You can sustain the activity through self-funding eg selling of water by combining this with a car washing service; or selling plants and produce. Your proposals are limited only by your imagination.
Contact your grassroot organisation or management council/agent for community projects. Eg. even the public walkway in front of a condo is neogtiable if you approach Parks department formally through proper channels. Try to bring along a well thought out plan and a team of concerned residents to execute your side of the bargain.
At least in this area, they are more helpful and open than many people expect. Don’t forget you are volunteering your services and management free.