Rain water harvesting units could prove to be very cost-effective in the long-run.  Research has and is being done at the University of Guelph to produce a successful rainwater harvesting system. The system was designed by two engineering graduate students in collaboration with a local rain-energysupplier of rainwater harvesting technology.
According to University of Guelph, the harvesting process goes like this: “Rainwater that lands on the home’s fiberglass roof will be collected in roof gutters and downspouts and diverted to a filtration device before it is carried to a 6,500 litre underground cistern. The stored water will be pressurized and piped into the home to supply water to three toilets, the washing machine, and the dishwasher. The collected rainwater will also supply water to an underground irrigation system. This would account for over 50% of water consumption in a typical home.”

 

Grey Water Management

greywatermgmtMany countries have limited supplies of fresh drinking water and the demands on such become even greater in remote areas. Management of water sources becomes very important in these locations. Grey Water Management can reduce the demand on the overall water supply between 30-50%. Waste water from hand washing, showering, laundry facilities as well as dish washing is known as “grey water”. This waste water which would normally be discarded to a municipal drainage system or septic waste systems.

 

 

Uses of Grey Water

Diverted and reused grey water recycling can reduce the demand on potable water supplies to provide certain services. Without purification this useofgreywaterwater can be utilized in irrigation systems for lawns or plant beds to provide a nutrient source of water for plant growth. Purified and treated grey water can be uses indoors as well for flushing toilets or for providing water for laundry sources and showering. In some instances the “grey water” can also be treated and used for certain mechanical systems such as cooling towers. In addition the heat contained in waste grey water can be reclaimed and provided to supplement the demand on heated water needs.

Water management can become an important component in renewable energy projects. TEE can identify, suggest and assist providing options for its clients that will best manage their needs and to reduce costgreywaterdesigns, with viably sustainable options.

 

 

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a technique of collection and storage of rainwater into natural reservoirs or tanks, or the infiltration of surface water into subsurface aquifers (before it is lost as surface runoff). One method of rainwater harvesting is rooftop harvesting. With rooftop harvesting, most any surface — tiles, metal sheets, plastics, but not grass or palm leaf — can be used to intercept the flow of rainwater and provide a household with high-quality drinking water and year-round storage. Other uses include water for gardens, livestock, and irrigation, etc