GreenGeezer

RainReserve Diverts Rainwater into Rain Barrel

The RainReserve helps solve one of the most wasteful practices in homes and business today:  using potable (drinkable) water for watering plants, cleaning our cars and pets, and for other uses that rain water can satisfy.  Used in tandem with a rain barrel, the device "allows debris to pass through the gutter.  It reduces mosquitoes; decreases maintenance, [and] manages water overflow..."   For  information on how rain barrels can help you save water, see the Rain Barrel Guide.

Water: The New "Liquid Gold"

It hasn't escaped the attention of oil man T. Boone Pickens and his company, Mesa Water, that water is the new "liquid gold".  He is buying up the water rights for land above the immense Ogallala Aquifer, and plans to sell the water back to San Antonio, among other cities.   So, even though we live a long way from Texas, we thought maybe it was time to start paying attention to water conservation and how buildings can use the  rain that falls on them.  We rushed online to join the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and plan to attend its rainwater harvesting workshop to be held in Salem, Indiana on July 14th.  We'll report back on our findings. Here's information from Chicago Rain Barrel.                            Image Credit: Chicago Rain Barrel.com

Vision of the Future? Gated Communities in India Pay to Waste Water

An article in today's New York Times by Somini Sengupta provides a grim view of where we might end up in the United States, if we don't begin to manage our water resources for the common good.  Because the Indian government has not acted to provide water for its citizens or to require sensible water usage, those with enough money are setting up their homes in gated enclaves where they are allowed to use as much water and other resources as they wish, while outside the walls, the poor struggle in slums without running water and electricity.

"These enclaves have emerged on the outskirts of prospering, overburdened cities, from this frontier town next to the capital to the edges of seam-splitting Bangalore. They allow their residents to buy their way out of the hardships that afflict vast multitudes in this country of more than one billion. And they reflect the desires of India’s small but growing ranks of wealthy professionals, giving them Western amenities along with Indian indulgences: an army of maids and chauffeurs live in a vast shantytown across the street."

Image Credit: Ruth Fremson, New York Times

California Housing Developments Stopped for Lack of Water

Yesterday's New York Times featured a story on how California's water shortage is forcing developers to assure that water is available for years out, if they want their developments to be approved.   Though this requirement is in response to California's drought, there can be no doubt that, as in so many other areas, California is leading the way in the kind of sustainability planning that is long overdue in the rest of the nation.   Under the state law, developers must assure that there is a 20-year water supply before building.

“'The water in our state is not sufficient to add more demand,' said Lester Snow, the director of the California Department of Water Resources. 'And that now means that some large developments can’t go forward. If we don’t make changes with water, we are going to have a major economic problem in this state.'"

It is worth celebrating that finally developers are being asked to plan for water consumption, something that is already commonplace in many European and Scandinavian countries. This will, it is hoped, curtail the irresponsible sprawl that has been characteristic of the U.S. construction industry since the 50's.

Image: Chicago Botanic Garden

Toto Products Are Totally Cool, Save Water

Minimalist in design, and minimalist in their usage of water, Toto products rule.  Last night we went to a seminar at the Toto Gallery in Chicago (yes, this is the kind of activity that we engage in for fun these days) and saw the latest in toilet, bath, and shower design from this Japanese company.    Their products include the EcoPower Faucet  that uses hydropower to regenerate itself each time it is used, and the super-efficient 1.28 Gallons per Flush Eco Drake Toilet which has earned the EPA's Water Sense seal of approval.

Facts shared during the presentation:

• 8% of electricity in the U.S. is expended in delivery and treatment of potable water.
• California uses 19% of its electricity for delivering water.
• 32% of natural gas in the U.S. is used for treating water and wastewater.

Conclusion: saving water saves energy.  Dan Tungett, Toto's Regional Sales Director for the North Central Region, hinted that even more innovations, some involving grey water use, were in the near future.  I'm still waiting for the wide-spread use of the toilet-top sink.

Rainbank Saves Up to 40% of Household Drinking Water Supply

Australia's water shortage has forced it to innovate and the result is great products like the RainBank.

"Incorporated into the design of new homes or retrofitted to existing properties, RainBank controls the water supply for toilet or laundry applications by automatically switching the water source from the domestic mains to rainwater when a demand is sensed and rainwater is available in the storage tank."

Picky Neighbors Oppose Vast Manure Pond

The above is a photo taken June 2002 in SE Manitoba (Hog Alley) after heavy rainfall. It represents a saturated manure field draining into Rouseau River. Source at this link.

Sunday's Chicago Tribune featured an article about a proposed giant factory farm that will produce milk.  The article was a typical example of journalism by a writer who has not done homework on the damage that these farms do to the cows and the environment.   Thus we get this vapid headline:  "Plan for the state's largest dairy irks neighbors but could help the economy."  Always, always, when something is inherently bad, we hear that it "will help the economy", though the number of jobs the dairy would create was not shared in the article, and the harm that it would do the local area was brushed off as follows:

"[Neighbors] worry about stench from vast manure ponds, potential groundwater pollution and the prospect of even larger dairies blotting the tranquil countryside."

Oh those silly neighbors. To present mega-stench and vast manure ponds as trivial concerns nearly makes my head explode. Here is an excerpt from the editorial written by one of the affected neighbors that followed the next day:

"..People residing in its vicinity will have to live with the constant, choking stench of its football field-sized manure lagoons, as well as risk contamination of their water supply from potential lagoon breaches and manure run-off. Additionally, large-scale, industrialized farms, such as the proposed A.J. Bos facility, pollute surrounding air and adversely affect property values.

Furthermore, given the apparent lack of U.S.D.A. oversight, as we have seen from the Humane Society of the United States' recent expose of Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., industrialized animal farms are repositories for appalling animal cruelty. Construction of the facility proposed by A.J. Bos will undoubtedly establish new ground for abuse of downer cows spent dairy cows too sick or injured to stand. Even if we fooled ourselves into thinking that there would be no incidence of downer abuse at A.J. Bos' facility, there would still be the reality that a 11,000-head dairy factory would involve cruel, intensive confinement of cattle."

Let's hope the neighbors prevail.

Atlanta's Wasteful Water Ways

I have been enjoying reading about Atlanta suffering from a water shortage.  There, I've said it.  This attack of schadenfreude, defined as "enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others" was only heightened when I read today's New York Times  article on the South's struggles to adapt to a shortage of water that has been a reality for years to anyone with half a brain, and recently is becoming truly alarming:

"For more than five months, the lake that provides drinking water to almost five million people here has been draining away in a withering drought. Sandy beaches have expanded into flats of orange mud. Tree stumps not seen in half a century have resurfaced. Scientists have warned of impending disaster.  And life, for the most part, has gone on just as before."

Not that the poor citizens of Atlanta have not had to sacrifice:  "Gov. Sunny Perdue of Georgia declared October 'Take a Shorter Shower Month.'" Still, "the state has not yet restricted indoor water use of cut back on major commercial and industrial users...."    This behavior is part of a long-term pattern of ignoring how Atlanta's mindless sprawl and unchecked growth have strained water resources.   In spite of an increase in water usage of 30% between 1990 and 2000, the state has no plan for water conservation or even water management.  The entire Southeast views water restrictions as inhibiting their God-given right to waste common resources.  Boo hoo, how will they water their lawns? 

New House Design by the GlideHouse Creator

Inhabitat's "Prefab Friday" column showcases a new green home design by Michelle Kauffman, the creator of the Glidehouse , and her new design pushes the envelope even further, incorporating a green roof and greywater capture , among other things:

"The home is compact and stunning, with gorgeous xeriscape landscaping, and the most high-tech green materials and sustainable systems available,including a greywater recycling system, green roof, solar panels, and even a spot to plug in your electric vehicle for charging!"

--Inhabitat's "Prefab Friday"

More Beautiful Urinals

While working the ISEA booth at the Green Home Fair this past Saturday, I spent some time talking to the Kohler rep, Larry Harpster, who had great pictures of the Kohler Waterless Urinal .  I promised him I'd blog about them; something about them seems so ... poetic.