Author: Vivian

A quick note on rainwater harvesting

A rainwater harvesting system is responsible for catching up the water flow from your roof – rainwater that would usually just flow off down the drain.

It is important to make use of a an accredited installer to ensure you have the best system for harvesting quality water.

The system entails a water tank being fitted to the down-pipe of your roof. This means that, when it rains, your connected gutters will ‘divert’ the rainwater into your tank.

A quality RainWater Harvesting System to the tanks usually have the following components installed:

1. Leaf Catcher, removing all leaves and debris from the water.
2. First Flush System which removes dust and micro particles from the water.
3. A Tank Screen which will further remove any remaining dirt.
4. A solid concrete base to support the weight of the Tank and Water.

These 3 pre filter components are recommended and are essential in preventing unwanted debris from flowing, along with the water, into your tank.

It is also recommended that a Auto Flush Overflow System be installed to drain and stagnant water or debris that may be in the bottom of your tank.

After this you should have good quality water for general use in your home.

Rainwater harvesting systems can get quite complex as well. While some tanks are fitted with just a tap (for an easy hose connection) others can be fitted with a pump to help with water pressure.

Other, more complex systems are also available entailing a water filtration system that makes the rainwater adequate for human consumption.

The most important items are mosquito / insect screens on the inlet and outlet pipes of your tank system, don’t compromise your water.

Contact RainWater Harvester to install System.

Water Awareness

SA is currently facing a water crisis which is likely to become worse in the near future with strict water restrictions being imposed throughout the country.

The Water Crisis is due to a number of reasons such as:
The lack of rain in our catchment areas to fill our dams mainly due to the El Nino effect.
The increase in water contamination in the rural, industrial and mining areas.
Waste pollution in our rivers and dams due to lack of infrastructure in the rural areas.
The lack of maintenance and system failure of our current water supply structure.
Increase in water consumption due to population growth …… just to mention a few.

The more water harvesting that takes place, the less supply is needed from our dams, and in turn we will have a more sustainable water supply in our dams and rivers.

The importance of rainwater harvesting is to alleviate the pressure on municipal water supply and become independent from municipal water, if you install a rainwater harvesting system.

The benefits of rainwater harvesting, is to have quality water for general use and drinking, and of course to reduce your water bill and save money.

A RainWater Harvesting System will allow a significant monthly saving on your water bill, and generally pays for itself within the first year, thereafter it is saving on your water bill every month.

Contact RainWater Harvester if you are interested in installing a system.

How does the Municipality charge you for water ?

Most municipalities have a two tier billing system for water.
Municipalities use the term kl (kiloliter where 1kl = 1000 liters)
As a user you are billed for the water that you consume or use and then you are billed for the water that you discharge into the sewer system after it has been used. Most municipalities work on the assumption that 75% of the water used by a household is discharged into the sewer system.
Water is billed on a sliding scale. Thus the more you use the higher the rate per kiloliter you will pay.
In Durban the following applies for 2016/17
For consumption up to 9 Kl you pay R16 per Kiloliter
If you use between 9 and 25 Kl you will pay R18.97 per kiloliter for usage above 9kl
If you use between 25 and 30 Kl you will pay R25.26 per kiloliter for usage above 25kl
If you use between 30 and 40 Kl you will pay R38.97 per Kiloliter for usage above 30Kl
If you use more that 45 kl you will pay R42.86 per kiloliter
Sewerage discharge is calculate din the same way.

Install a RainWater Harvesting System and Reduce your Water Bill.

Average Monthly Rainfall for the Durban Area:

RainWater Harvester will install your system effectively.

Month Mean rainfall (mm)
January 124
February 142
March 113
April 98
May 35
June 34
July 48
August 35
September 65
October 107
November 121
December 118

Annual totals 1040

RainWater Harvester will install your system so you can reduce your Water Bill and Save.

RainWater Recovery Factor for October in Durban: Example….

Durban Mean Rainfall for October = 107 mm
Rainfall Recovery Factor for October = 95%
Water Use without RainWater Harvesting = 40 kilo liter
Water Use with RainWater Harvesting = 10 kilo liter
Water Bill without RainWater Harvesting = R 1226.00
Water Bill with RainWater Harvesting = R 306.00
SAVING with RainWater Harvesting = R 920.00 in October

Install Your RainWater Harvesting System now and Save !

Water Wise Pool Rules – to keep water in the pool:

1. No bombing or excessive splashing.

2. Drip dry on the top step so the water goes back into the pool

3. Ask pool users to top it up with a bucket so they are aware of the amount of water being used

4. Only run pool fountains and waterfalls when you’re entertaining, as they increase evaporation

5. Avoid overfilling the pool: the water level should be about half way up the skimmer box opening for the filter to function properly

6. Think about lowering the water level to reduce losses from splashing

7. Plant or install windbreaks around the pool as even light winds will increase evaporation rates.

8. Harvest Rainwater to top up your Pool…….Its FREE

WATER WISE SWIMMING POOLS

There are approximately 168,000 swimming pools situated throughout South Africa.

A typical residential swimming pool can hold anything between 20,000 to 80,000L of water.

Wind, Sun and Humidity all contribute to Evaporation of your Pool Water.

In a semi-arid country like S.A. the average evaporation rate during summer is between 6 – 8mm daily.

For a 3 x 4m pool, which translates to around 2,600L of water evaporated per month, which is 31,200L lost every year.

In hotter, more arid regions such as Namibia, up to 42,000L of water can be lost to evaporation from a 4 x 3m pool yearly.

In Namibia it is law that if a pool is not in use, it must be covered.

An average person uses approximately 240L of water per day. The amount of water evaporated from such a small pool would be enough water to sustain a human being for more than a week.

Please invest in a Pool Cover.

Water saving tips for your home:

1. Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage.

2. Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000L a month.

3. There’s no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.

4. The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.

5. Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.

6. Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.

7. Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.

8. Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.

9. Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40L of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18L per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you’re used to.

Did YOU Know…?

The Water we have in circulation is all the water we will ever have. There are no new sources of water, it does not rain down from outer space, nor can it spring anew from any natural process on earth……

Benefits of Using RainWater

1. Rainwater is good for you, it is extremely soft and only contains about 5 mg/l of dissolved solids compared to municipal water that contains about 400mg/l.
2. Rainwater does not contain any chlorine or sanitizing agent. All our systems use a process of Ultraviolet sterilization.
3. By having a rainwater capturing and storing system your household becomes independent from the municipal supply. Should there be a problem with the municipal supply your household can still function without the need to make use of tankers etc.
4. Using rainwater conserves water and saves you money.
5. Using rainwater preserves the environment by putting less pressure on current resources.
6. Rainwater has not undergone any chemical treatment, minimizing the risk and exposure to harmfully chemicals to your body.
7. Because rainwater is soft you will have no scale buildup in your electrical appliances like kettles and geysers.
8. Coastal cities and towns on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast of South Africa can derive significant benefit from urban rainwater harvesting.
9. Rainwater harvesting benefits can be derived from three areas:
10. 1. Reduction in water consumption resulting in increased water availability during periods of drought.
2. Storm water attenuation and control, reducing flooding in low lying areas.
3. General water consumption reduction resulting in reduced capital expenditure to supply towns with water.
11. Background
12. The average coastal rainfall along the KZN coast range from 1000 to 1400mm per annually.
13. Most of the cities and town have experienced serious flooding during periods of continuous or intense rainfall especially in the lower lying areas. The rapid growth in urbanization and industrial development is largely to blame for this. Hard surface construction (roofing, paving, roads etc.) is the single biggest contributor to these problems. Rainwater attenuation systems and dams are generally undersized, household soak pits are non operational and in some township developments it is not even a requirement to have a soak pit
14. All the coastal towns rely on water that comes from inland catchment areas. Thus rainfall within the cities and towns has no significant impact on dam and reservoir levels that service the particular area with water. All the rainwater falling within the town borders simply run into the sea, without delivering any benefits to its residents. Any drought within the catchment area of the coastal town will result in the town facing serious water use restrictions. Costly capital expenditure projects are then needed to ensure these towns do not run out of water during periods of drought.