Rainwater Harvesting
It is now viable to harvest rainwater for your whole household. This includes rainwater harvesting, storing and pumping rainwater for bathing, showering, toilet flushing, pool, laundry and irrigation. Rainwater harvesting together with other Water Rhapsody products can save up to 90% of your water bill.
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Author Archives: Frans
Bloemfontein Water Problems
Rainwater Harvesting in Bloemfontein Grey water recycling in Bloemfontein The problem: Bloemfontein and the greater Mangaung area are struggling since September with water supply and delivery problems. First, water restrictions were introduced and lately residents are experiencing irregular supply and low pressure. This is due to the fact that two reservoirs of the city nearly ran dry and left most of the traditional Mangaung suburbs without water for five days. The current problem is that
Dam Levels as on 14/01/2011
Although some rain has fallen in the Port Elizabeth catchment area during the last month, dam levels are still very low and a worrying factor. The average level is now on 34% in comparison with 43.5% last year this time. What are you doing to save water? Water Rhapsody has a full rang of water conservation systems and will gladly advise you on how to save water. Dam 14/01/2011 Groendal 60.00% Impofu 27.00% Kouga 36.00% Loerie 60.00% Churchhill 35.00% Avg: 34.60%
Red Worms in your Water Tank
What are those red worms in your water tank? They are called Bloodworms. Bloodworms are one stage in the life cycle of the non-biting Midge fly. The red colour comes from haemoglobin in the Midge fly’s blood and has no reference to any blood sucking activity. They are herbivorous and feed on algae and other plants or waste material – therefore harmless to you or your animals. Many fish keepers buy bloodworms as a protein rich food for their fish. The non-biting Midge looks like a mosquito, but doesn’t bite. Midges live near water and are found in streams, rivers, ditches, lakes and ponds – and of course your water tank. The midge develops in a life cycle that includes four stages: egg, larvae (bloodworm), pupae and adult. The larvae stadia last between 2 to 7 weeks. The best cure is prevention. Water Rhapsody always ensures that your rainwater harvesting system is a closed system and does not allow any entry for water based breeding insect. We make use of Rain Runners to first sift the water from the gutters before diverting it to the tank. We only make use of the existing outlet/inlet to the tank – no holes … Continue reading
Posted in Rainwater Harvesting, Water Tanks
Tagged Dam Levels, going green, Water Conservation, Water tanks, Waterproblem
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South Africa Solar Challenge
The South African Solar Challenge 2010 is an ambitious, two-week race in solar-powered cars throughout South Africa from the 20th September to the 2nd October. Teams are to build their own cars, design their own engineering systems and race those same machines through the most demanding terrain that solar cars have ever seen. The South Africa Solar Challenge promotes renewable energy technologies (specifically photo voltaic or “solar cells”), educational excellence in science, engineering and mathematics and creative integration of technical and scientific expertise across a wide-range of disciplines. The challenge is also a hands-on experience for students and engineers to develop and demonstrate their technical and creative abilities. Yes Solar were lucky to catch up with the Japanese team in Jeffrey’s Bay on the 29th of September. We were astonished by the speed of this little car and were told that it reached a top speed of 171km/h at one stage during the challenge. They however stay within the speed limit as this is one of the rules of the race. The race end in Pretoria at the Innovation HUB (Arriving from 10am to 5pm)
Posted in Solar Energy
Tagged Saving Electricity, Solar, Solar panels, Solar power, Yes Solar
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Will recent Rainfall bring some relief?
Rainfall figures for the last 24 hours as of 10 Aug 2010. Do you have a water tank yet? EASTERN CAPE ADDO ELEPHANT PARK 3 ALEXANDRIA – POL 16 BISHO 1 CAPE ST FRANCIS 17 EAST LONDON WO 4 ELANDS RIVER-BOSBOK RAND 14 FLOWER RESERVE ARS 8 GRAHAMSTOWN 5 HUMANSDORP 18 KAREEDOUW – POL 10 NGQURA (COEGA) 7 PATENSIE 3 PORT ALFRED – AIRPORT 15 ST ALBANS PRISON ARS 13 SWARTKOPS POWER STATION 7 UITENHAGE 2
Posted in Water Conservation
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Desalination plant in Bay
SWARTKOPS has been selected as the site for a R750-million water desalination plant which forms part of Nelson Mandela Bay’s emergency drought measures. Water and sanitation director Barry Martin told a briefing yesterday Swartkops had been selected because of its location near the old power station which would allow the use of existing infrastructure. He said environmental studies had been accessed and discussed. No problems were foreseen in that area. A public participation process would now get under way and preliminary designs and specifications were being prepared. The aim is to start work in October and complete the project in May next year. Martin warned that dam levels could drop to 32% from the current 34% by next month, adding weight to suggestions at Tuesday’s Budget and Treasury Committee meeting that the punitive tariff for the consumption of more than 15 kilolitres a month is to be hiked by a “considerable” margin.
Posted in Water Conservation
Tagged Dam Levels, Desalination Plant, going green, Port Elizabeth, Saving water, Water Restrictions
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14th Scifest Africa in Grahamstown without water
DAMS to the west of Grahamstown have effectively dried up, leaving the city’s industrial area, the Grahamstown prison, the military base and some suburbs without a drop of water. which draws its water from the almost empty Settler’s, Milner and Howieson’s Poort dams that stands at less then 10% full – Daily Dispatch, 26/03/10 By installing Water Rhapsody’s water conservation systems you can save up to 90% of our water usage. Can you really afford not to? Comment – Not only is the quantity of water in Grahamstown a problem but also the quality. I don’t trust the water from the municipality and would rather harvest and use rainwater.
Posted in Water Conservation
Tagged Dam Levels, Grahamstown, Rainwater Harvesting, Scifest Africa, Water shortage
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Nelson Mandela Bay declared a drought disaster area!
NELSON Mandela Bay was declared a drought disaster area yesterday, allowing the city to apply for R1.6-billion in emergency funding to tackle the crisis. As supply dam levels continued to fall to just 36% of capacity and warnings were sounded that Port Elizabeth’s western suburbs and inner city could run out of water by October, the council acted to pave the way for a raft of emergency measures. Included are: A desalination plant that will cost R750-million. The fast-tracking of the Nooitgedacht Dam low level scheme that will cost R650-million. It will take about 18 months and augment the supply by 100 to 120 megalitres a day. Groundwater schemes that will cost R100000. Repairs at schools and water loss detection that will require a budget of R80-million. The city was declared a local disaster area in terms of the Disaster Management Act and will be approaching the government and the provincial administration for funds.
Posted in Water Conservation
Tagged Drought, drought disaster area, Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, Rain fall, Saving water, Water shortage
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Grey Water Diverter
You may ask: What are the implications regarding any toxic levels to the plants or animals in your garden using grey water? Answer: Not bad at all. As long as you follow a few simple rules regarding the use of grey water for your garden. Water Rhapsody has installed more than 3000 grey water systems in Cape Town alone. We recommend low or phosphate free washing powders to use in your laundry. Avoid the use of fabric softeners, and sodium hypochlorite (JIK). Many of the Water Rhapsody installations date back from 1994, including those of the people who started the Fresh Water Institute at UCT, and Professor Kader and Louise Asmal. They have Fynbos gardens, and these are all green and beautiful. We never take water from dishwashing machines, so the abrasive nature of the dishwashing detergent is not of concern. All dishwashing water must go into the sewer.
Port Elizabeth new water restriction tariffs
On average we use 240l of water per person per day. With the new water restrictions we are only allowed to use 400l per day per household on the normal tariff of R5.29/kl. We will pay R9.53 for the next 600l and a staggering R14.88 for the next 1000l. Let’s say you have a household of 4 people. On average you will use 960l/day. The water you have used for that day will cost you R5.29 + R9.37 = R14.66. The cost per 31 day month will be R454.46. By installing the conservation systems from Water Rhapsody, water usage is decreased to 120l per person per day. Therefore the same household will now only use 480l per day. The cost will be R5.29 + R1.27 = R6,56 or R203,36 per 31 day month. There will be a household saving of R251.10 monthly or R3013.20 per annum. Without changing your lifestyle you have saved a staggering 178,560l of water!
