Water & Energy Conservation Systems » Water tanks

World Wetlands Day, 2 February

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:02:32 +0000

What is World Wetlands Day?

2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, the Ramsar Secretariat has provided materials so that government agencies, non-governmental organizations, conservation organizations, and groups of citizens can help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands.
Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen , peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters” .
Such definition would include rivers, lakes, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, estuaries, deltas, mangroves, coral reefs, human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoir, and salt pans among others.

Phosphate film with Jeremy Westgarth-Taylor

The Package of Decisions made at COP 17 in Durban 2011:

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:01:12 +0000

The Package of decisions known as the Durban Platform, centered around adaption, green climate fund, technology and strategies to support developing countries.
Work will begin on this immediately under a new group called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action.
“I salute the countries who made this agreement. They have all laid aside some cherished objectives of their own to meet a common purpose – a long-term solution to climate change,” said Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Figueres said this is highly significant because the Kyoto Protocol’s accounting rules, mechanisms and markets all remain in action as effective tools to leverage global climate action and as models to inform future agreements.
A significantly advanced framework for the reporting of emission reductions for both developed and developing countries was also agreed, taking into consideration the common but differentiated responsibilities.
Governments also agreed on the full implementation of The Package to support developing nations, agreed last year in Cancun, Mexico.
“This means that urgent support for the developing world, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable to adapt to climate change, will also be launched on time,” said Figueres.
The Package includes the Green Climate Fund, an Adaptation Committee designed to improve the coordination of adaptation actions on a global scale, and a Technology Mechanism, which are to become fully operational in 2012.
“While it is clear that these deadlines must be met, countries, citizens and businesses that have been behind the rising global wave of climate action can now push ahead confidently, knowing that Durban has lit up a broader highway to a low-emission, climate resilient future,” said Figueres.

Details of key decisions that emerged from COP17 include:
Green Climate Fund
- Countries have already started to pledge to contribute to start-up costs of the fund, meaning it can be made ready in 2012, and at the same time can help developing countries get ready to access the fund, boosting their efforts to establish their own clean energy futures and adapt to existing climate change.
- A focussed work programme on long-term finance was agreed, which will contribute to the scaling up of climate change finance going forward and will analyse options for the mobilisation of resources from a variety of sources.
Adaptation
- The Adaptation Committee, composed of 16 members, will report to the COP (Conference of the Parties) on its efforts to improve the coordination of adaptation (measuring) actions at a global scale.
- The adaptive capacities above all of the poorest and most vulnerable countries are to be strengthened. National Adaptation Plans will allow developing countries to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change.
The most vulnerable are to receive better protection against loss and damage caused by extreme weather events related to climate change.
Technology
- will become fully operational in 2012. The full terms of reference for the operational arm of the Mechanism – the Climate Technology Centre and Network – are agreed, along with a clear procedure to select the host. The UNFCCC secretariat will issue a call for proposals for hosts on 16 January 2012.
Support of developing country action
- Governments agreed a registry to record developing country mitigation (reducing) actions that seek financial support and to match these with support. The registry will be a flexible, dynamic, web-based platform.
Other key decisions
- A forum and work programme on unintended consequences of climate change actions and policies were established.
- Under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, governments adopted procedures to allow carbon-capture and storage projects. These guidelines will be reviewed every five years to ensure environmental integrity.
Governments agreed to develop a new market-based mechanism to assist developed countries in meeting part of their targets or commitments under the Convention. Details of this will be taken forward in 2012.

The COP18/CMP8, will take place on 26 November to 7 December 2012 in Qatar, in close cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

– BuaNews

Polar Bear Attack!

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:10:44 +0000

Bear Attack in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada!

These are pictures of an actual polar bear attacking a man.

The pictures were taken while people watched and could do nothing to stop the attack!

Reports from the local newspaper say that the victim will make a full recovery.

The photos follow… not for the meek.

May your troubles always be smaller

than your imagination!

Water Rhapsody Team EC

What is a Carbon Footprint?

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:50:53 +0000

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Carbon refer to Carbon Dioxide, a colourless odourless gas, formed by the burning of carbon/fossil fuels, or breathed out by animals/humans from the lungs

Footprint – Impression of a human or an animal foot on a surface. (Oxford Dictionary)

Definition

Carbon Footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas emissions/release/production/discharge, cause by an organisation, event, production or person through burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transport etc.

In other words: The measurement of the total amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) emissions of a defined population, system or activity, considering all relevant sources sinks and storage within the spatial and temporal boundary of the population, system or activity of interest, is called The Carbon Footprint.

Origin

Carbon Footprint originates from the ecological footprint discussion. It’s a subset of the ecological footprint and of the comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment. The Ecological Footprint is a measurement of human demand on the Earth’s ecosystems.

How is it Measured?

The Carbon Footprint is measured in units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Two Parts: Primary Footprint and Secondary Footprint. Primary Footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from burning Fossil Fuels, including domestic energy consumption and transportation. We have direct control of these.

Secondary Footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use, from manufacturing to the eventual breakdown. In other words: the more se buy, the more emissions is caused on our behalf.

What influence the growth of Carbon Footprint?

Population, economic output, energy and carbon intensity of the economy; these factors are the main targets to decrease carbon footprint.

Mitigation

How can we ease or lessen the growing carbon footprint? By developing alternative projects, such as solar/wind energy or reforestation. Decrease the amount of energy needed for production or to decrease the dependence on carbon emitting fuels. This represents only a few ways of reducing Carbon Footprint and is also called Carbon Offsetting.

Nedbank to invest in Critical Water Catchment areas..

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:01:08 +0000

We as Water Rhapsody EC take our hats of to Nedbank for investing 9 million rand into South Africa’s critical water catchment areas. In their statement released 29th August’11, the investment entails funding of the removal of alien invasive species, like Black Wattle trees. This will release approximately 550 000 kiloliter per year back into some of SA’s high priority catchment areas under which the Kouga in the Eastern Cape.

This inisiative result in the improvement in the water quality. It will surely establish a platform for job creation and it will also contribute towards altering climate change.

Nedbank put it’s money where it’s mouth is; they have had a 17% reduction in their own water consumpion. Now they are also encouraging other corporates to take a stand and take a role in putting conservation and contribution towards it, on the map.

Go to the link below to read all about Nedbank’s Water Stewardship Programme:

http://www.nedbank.co.za/website/content/watersteward_programme/index.asp

To quote Nedbank: “It’s only a water shortage if we do nothing to change it.”

Bloemfontein Water Problems

Frans — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:50:04 +0000

Rainwater Harvesting in Bloemfontein
Grey water recycling in Bloemfontein

The problem:

Bloemfontein:Water problems in high-lying areas

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 water is drawn out of the reservoirs as fast as it is pumped in. This effectively means that no reserves can be built up.

In a statement by the Mangaung Metro the levels of the reservoirs are indicated to be at 48%. This is only sufficient for the water network and not enough for the delivery of water to high-lying areas in Bloemfontein.

Residents in high-lying areas will have some water during the morning but as the day progress, the pressure and supply desiccate.

With summer just underway, what will happen during the season as the demand for water increases?

The solution:

Take control of your own water supply rather to be dependant on the municipality. Water Rhapsody can help you by harvesting rainwater and recycling of your grey water.

We specialize in the manufacturing and installation of Water Conservation Systems and have 16 years of experience behind us.

For more information and a quotation, please contact us by using the contact form on the right of this page. You may also contact us on 082 7712 062 or 082 8519 761.

Why is Water Rhapsody your answer?

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:01:31 +0000

Are you conscious about saving water?
Do you want to be self sufficient and not reliable on the municipality for both the quality and quantity of your water supply?
Not receiving constant water pressure from the municipality?

Then Water Rhapsody is your answer.

We specialize in the manufacturing and installation of Water Conservation Systems and have 16 years of experience behind us. Our Systems include:

Garden Rhapsody– Grey Water Diverter
- Re-use your bath, shower and laundry water to irrigate your garden-automatically.
Grand Opus– Rainwater Harvesting system
- Harvest clean rainwater and use this water instead of municipality water.
Second Movement
- Grey water for toilet flushing.
Multi Flush Toilet system
- Allows you to use the least amount of water to clean the pan.
Pool Side tank
- Recycle your pool’s backwash water back into your swimming pool.
Poseidon Advantage Series
- Recycling of large industrial grey water producers like car wash bays.

The installations can be as simple as a gutter-to-tank installation or as intricate as an Uninterrupted Pressurized Water Supply (UPWS) system, ensuring you against any water outages.

For more information visit our website at www.watersafe.co.za, mail us on info@watersafe.co.za or call us on 082 7712 062/082 851 9761.

Harvest Rainwater with Jojo Tanks!

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:07:33 +0000

It’s time to start preparing to harvest rainwater at your house of business. Be ready to collect rainwater for your house, garden, your pool, laundry or for whatever need you might have for rainwater.

As Jojo Dealers and one of their listed preferred installers, Water Rhapsody is offering the 2500l for R1550 and the 5000l for R2785 (incl VAT & Delivery) until the end of October 2011.

So hurry, order your tank(s) now and we will visit you for a no-obligation quote on the installation thereof. We might be in the unfortunate position of having water restrictions again in the future, so start now becoming independent of Municipal supply.

Saving water is an excellent way to show that you care and are willing to do your little bit to help. Whether you store just a small amount to reduce your use of the municipal supply or get off the grid completely,it will be beneficial for the entire community and for future generations.

Go Green in 4 Weeks

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:36:04 +0000

Week 4

Day 22: Start a lift club.

Sharing is caring especially when it comes to transportation. When neighbours and co-workers ride together, everyone benefits.

Day 23: Read the ingredients.

Knowledge is power. Knowing what’s in the products you buy will help you understand their impact on the environment.

Day 24: Use less.

When you are able to use only what you need, you help reduce unnecessary waste. Keep a journal of your food, petrol and material consumption to better understand where you can cut back.

Day 25: Go outside.

Enjoy the great outdoors more. Plan a hike or picnic instead of languishing indoors. When you use outdoor spaces more, you use less energy to heat or cool the inside of you home.

Day 26: Go low flow.

Purchase low flow shower heads, taps and toilets to conserve water. Let Water Rhapsody install a Multi-Flush in all your toilets. The toilet will only flush as long as you hold the handle down.

Day 27: Support tree huggers.

Stay informed and involved with local and national environmental efforts. Find out how you can support greening initiatives in your area.

Day 28: Spread the word.

Share your environmental advances with friends and co-workers. When going green, it’s great to have your own support network of ‘greenies’.

Metro Water not safe!

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:58:51 +0000

The following information illustrates one of the reasons why Water Rhapsody strives to make the public aware of the importance of making oneself independent from Municipal water supply. The information came from an article in The Herald 06 September 2011:

According to tests made by Pathcare Laboratory at St. George’s, water in certain areas of the Bay is not safe to drink. This is caused by the lack of free-chlorine, which is meant to kill harmful contaminants in the water, therefore making the water an ideal breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

Tests carried out for The Herald by Pathcare Laboratories have revealed that water samples from Livingstone Hospital contain traces of the potentially deadly E.coli bacteria

( Fecal Coliform/E coli: Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.) Water from the Korsten area contains unacceptable high amount of coli form bacteria, which indicate the presence of either human or animal faeces and the absence of effective water treatment. The presence of coli form bacteria in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, are contaminating the water system.

( Total Coliform: Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. ) Residents are being warned to boil drinking water. Water filters are largely ineffective in filtering the micro-organisms.

For the past month, in Framesby, the waters’ free chlorine levels have been zero (according to Mr. Pieter Rossouw, a water analyst) – way below the Department of Water Affairs’ recommended level of between 0.3 and 0.6mg/litre. “Without intervention, it’s just a matter of time until the whole system is fully contaminated. A disaster is coming”, he said.

According to the Department of Water Affairs guidelines, there should be no presence of E.coli in treated water, while any total coli form count between 10/100ml and 100/100ml was worrisome and ‘indicative of inadequate treatment, post treatment contamination or growth in the distribution system with a risk of infectious disease transmission with continuous exposure’.

The municipality was stripped of the department’s prestigious Blue Drop status earlier his year, when it failed to score 97% for its water assessment, losing points in the areas of water planning processed and drinking water quality compliance, instead achieving 90%.

Mr Rossouw wrote an urgent letter to the municipality highlighting the lack of free chlorine in the water supplying his suburb, and the likely chance of bacteriological contamination of the city’s supply should nothing be done. He didn’t receive any response from them yet. “It’s just a matter of time until the pipelines are contaminated. Major corrective action will then be needed, and without it a disaster is coming,’ he warned. Another worrying phenomenon was also occurring with the distilling process, with the municipal water periodically beginning to froth and foam – a phenomenon Rossouw thought could be due to the presence of potentially harmful organic chemicals.

What can Water Rhapsody do for you??

Let Water Rhapsody install a Grand Opus System at your residence or business. You will harvest clean rainwater, it will be filtered by our Rain Runners, will reach your rainwater tanks via a closed system, not allowing light or air to reach it (therefore no algae growth or mosquito larvae in your water). The tanks will be connected to your home supply, making it your main water supply. With a manifold override, you will have the option to use municipal water when you need to.

We supply water tanks only. We install water tanks. We guarantee the best service and advice in the Eastern Cape. Our systems are being installed in Cape Town since 1994.

Rain water is the purest form of water. Make use of it when you can. At this stage, after this article today, water tanks is not a ‘maybe one day’ or a ‘nice-to have’, it’s becoming a necessity.