tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post7511324603463356158..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Water harvesting - self reliance, preparedness and common senseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78689068279615532442009-04-21T11:57:00.000+10:002009-04-21T11:57:00.000+10:00Thank you for your tips on water saving. this has ...Thank you for your tips on water saving. this has been on my mind a lot. <br /><br />Also I don't suppose you would post on my blog the recipe for the canned pickles (?) on the right side of your blog would you? They are beautiful!Tracy Bruringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680058756528755356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4074682403915315742009-04-19T04:30:00.000+10:002009-04-19T04:30:00.000+10:00Hi Heather J, there is fine mesh over all the inle...Hi Heather J, there is fine mesh over all the inlets. Mosquitoes can get in but we've never had a problem with them being in there. The water never gets stagnant. I sometimes drink the water in our tanks and I use it to make my soap. It's always clear and sparkling.<br /><br />It's a good idea to keep your gutters free of rubbish when you have a water tank. Hanno gets up on the roof every few months and clears ours out.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17060129047269665232009-04-19T01:50:00.000+10:002009-04-19T01:50:00.000+10:00This is very interesting to me, and I'd love to do...This is very interesting to me, and I'd love to do this at some point, however I have a question. How do you keep bugs out of the water? I have a small water pond out back and the bugs are profuse! I have to scoop them out every day. Even if you had screen mesh, wouldn't there be little flies in it? Does the water get smelly from stagnation?<br /><br />Just curious before I daydream anymore about getting one :o)<br />Hugs to you!<br />HeatherJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50581559046413019442009-04-18T15:46:00.000+10:002009-04-18T15:46:00.000+10:00I just watched the rain fill my new 55 gal barrels...I just watched the rain fill my new 55 gal barrels. I have four of them and the fill so quickly that the rest overflows. I wish I had the resources to install a big system like you have because I certainly could fill it. I could have filled my barrels three times today. I live in Texas, USA. <br /><br />The water which is kinda "dirty" in that its rolled off the roof and through the gutters with leaves, etc, is beloved by the plants. Much more so than city treated water.The Singlutionaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11199194725578216599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1545194420932383562009-04-18T09:39:00.000+10:002009-04-18T09:39:00.000+10:00Hi Rohnda and Hano,
This is a great idea. I have ...Hi Rohnda and Hano,<br /><br />This is a great idea. I have never thought about the savings in saving water.<br /><br />We have a deep well that supply 40+ gallons per minuite. When the power goes out the pump changes over to the generator, and water moves on. We have never had a shortage here.<br /><br />But this is helpful in that the water tanks would be handy in the garden, to run a shorter hose from the tank instead of the faucet on the outside of the house. In our cold climate the tanks would need to be drained in the fall. <br /><br />Thanks for this info. I bet 55 gallon plastic drums would be a good resource.<br /><br />Thanks again for this wonderful idea!<br /><br />KarynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82841057573229555132009-04-18T09:34:00.000+10:002009-04-18T09:34:00.000+10:00For those who have an asphalt roof and want to kno...For those who have an asphalt roof and want to know about the suitability for water harvesting - I'm sorry, but I have no experience with that type of roof. I doubt I've even seen an asphalt roof. Please do some research before you start harvesting your rain water if you have that type of roof. Road asphalt does contain a lot of chemicals and if it's the same type of asphalt, it would not be a good idea.<br /><br />Jody, it was the borax. It is biodegradable, but it takes a long time to degrade and will harm your plants when the boron build up in the soil. It's not a long term problem, but your plants won't survive for long when there is a lot of boron in your soil. Here is some more reading: http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/B_Basics.htm<br /><br />Autumn, we had our metal tank lined, the poly tank is food grade so it is unlined.rhonda jeanhttp://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49078840829424539522009-04-18T02:15:00.000+10:002009-04-18T02:15:00.000+10:00I am curious about the poly tank. Is that safe for...I am curious about the poly tank. Is that safe for the veggie garden? I saw you mentioned food grade liners or such...could you elaborate on that a little?autumnesfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04519475352289814754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29435495284664539062009-04-17T16:42:00.000+10:002009-04-17T16:42:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda
A great outline on water tanks! Very ea...Hi Rhonda<br /><br />A great outline on water tanks! Very easy to read. Just a comment about using the water - it is most water efficient to plumb inside to the toilet and laundry. That is because they use water daily unlike a garden which will use water seasonally.It will cost a bit more but most rebate requirements now insist on it. The good news for Australians is the federal government has just announced some fantastic rebates - $500 for rainwater tanks. Many state governments also offer up to $1500. So its really quite affordable!<br />cheers Rebecca BlackburnRebecca Blackburnhttp://www.rebeccablackburn.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15788249615334066022009-04-17T10:02:00.000+10:002009-04-17T10:02:00.000+10:00My husband installed a rain water cachement for me...My husband installed a rain water cachement for me a few months back, and I'm very happy with it. My houseplants have really been happy with it, they have grown a lot better & faster now that they are getting rainwater. But as someone mentioned already, in the US you need to check for local ordinances depending on the area of the country you live in.<br />Happy Birthday, sorry I'm late!Otter Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150285495175373444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14363712693485347072009-04-17T06:48:00.000+10:002009-04-17T06:48:00.000+10:00Excellent topic and sage advice..always. :o)
jAne...Excellent topic and sage advice..always. :o)<br /><br />jAne<br />http://tickleberryfarm.blogspot.comsherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869744622519612793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77328809184985432602009-04-17T03:40:00.000+10:002009-04-17T03:40:00.000+10:00Oh, thank you so much for going into detail on the...Oh, thank you so much for going into detail on the rain water gathering. I have a question but it is a bit off the subject. In your post on making your own laundry detergent you said to not use the washing soda or the Borax, I forget which, if you are using your gray water to water plants. Why? What is in them to harm the plants? Is this warning for only flowers and our lawns as I take it we should not use gray water to water fruit trees or our garde anyway...am I right? Also we have asphalt roofing shingles...will the rain water from our roof harm our veggie crops? JodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44902860930574640012009-04-17T01:16:00.000+10:002009-04-17T01:16:00.000+10:00Thank you for the post, Rhonda. I have a question....Thank you for the post, Rhonda. I have a question. Our roof is made of asphalt shingles. When I have collected water in the past, it has black, gritty bits in it (presumably from the shingles.) I know this can be strained out. But it seems like it would collect in the bottom of storage tanks and would make a very large tank very hard to keep clean!<br /><br />I also wonder if there are any chemicals in the shingles that I shouldn't be exposing us to, or pouring on our food as it grows.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />CassandraThe Thinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819784845039138017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40531683302657614622009-04-17T00:43:00.000+10:002009-04-17T00:43:00.000+10:00Those in the U.S. should be sure to check local/st...Those in the U.S. should be sure to check local/state laws before installing a system as water harvesting is not allowed in some areas.flmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12781812205765728149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50984287791910811812009-04-17T00:27:00.000+10:002009-04-17T00:27:00.000+10:00Thank you for the thorough coverage of this import...Thank you for the thorough coverage of this important topic. We started serously investigating the installation of a rain barrel when our city recently offered rebates. But the cost (we'd have to use an approved vendor for the barrel) didn't make sense. Then, I read somewhere that rainwater collected from an asphalt roof (all the houses in my neighborhood have an asphalt roof) would not be suitable for watering vegetables. At that point I dropped the issue. Just curious if you or any of your readers have any experience with using water collected from an asphalt roof? Thank you.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17942783659661369561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67178133993152855162009-04-16T22:04:00.000+10:002009-04-16T22:04:00.000+10:00Thank you so much Rhonda Jean & Hanno for the ...Thank you so much Rhonda Jean & Hanno for the detailed explanation. Hubby is a bit concerned that debris would build up in the bottom of the pipework as we always have a lot of rubbish in our gutters. Perhaps we need some sort of gutter guard. We shall investigate further.<br />Also hope you had a very special birthday yesterday <br />Patricia in North QueenslandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90417489002109286672009-04-16T20:03:00.000+10:002009-04-16T20:03:00.000+10:00I love collecting rainwater! I don't have to feel ...I love collecting rainwater! I don't have to feel guilty about watering the garden, flushing the toilet or all the clothes washing I do. We have bladder style water bags under our house (rain reviva). Perfect for small yards. <br /><br />We have around 10,000L across two bags. We have it plumbed to our laundry, toilet and garden. I find it is a great way to becme more aware about how much water we use. I could not believe how much water we used over christmas when we have a house full of guests! So much water down the loo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63741614590252297112009-04-16T16:58:00.000+10:002009-04-16T16:58:00.000+10:00Our neighbours raised some eyebrows when we instal...Our neighbours raised some eyebrows when we installed three water butts in the back garden, but we've never had to use the tap to water the garden. My husband hooked one of the water butts to a pipe system to the greenhouse, and the pump is run via a solar battery. So the veg are watered on a timer via a drip hose, and we can go on holiday without worrying about the greenhouse plants.<br /><br />I would think in a very dry Australia that water tanks would be almost mandatory; then again, when I grew up in dry Colorado, there was water rationing instead of a campaign to get people to use water butts and tanks, lol. <br /><br />Thanks for your blog, Rhonda. Always great to read.<br /><br />AM of the breadminervabirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14797562694181195390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11377120189070112362009-04-16T11:13:00.000+10:002009-04-16T11:13:00.000+10:00Hi Patricia, I'll come back to your questions. Han...Hi Patricia, I'll come back to your questions. Hanno has taken Kerry and Sunny up the mountain to look around.<br /><br />Elizabeth, I just loved your comment. I'm so pleased you decided to dive in. Remember, small steps and stick with it. Hugs<br /><br />Gail, I look forward to seeing where you two eventually buy your new home. Don't forget to factor rainfall and climate into the equation. If we returned to NSW, we'd probably look around the area inland between the Qld border and Evans Head. You'll notice a big drop in home prices out of Sydney. Good luck, I wish you a fruitful search.<br /><br />Hi Kristy and Kat. : - )Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42140360544578272742009-04-16T10:56:00.000+10:002009-04-16T10:56:00.000+10:00Rhonda,
What a great idea! I know we have tried ...Rhonda, <br /><br />What a great idea! I know we have tried to collect rain water from our roof before but found it to be pretty dirty from the stuff our roof collected over the dry times. I would agree that it may not be suitable for drinking unless it went through some sort of filtration system. <br /><br />My daughter just finished building a green friendly house for her science project last year and this was added to her house to supply water for gardening. I had to show her yours, since we hadn't found anyone that actually had one and was using it. <br /><br />Thanks again, <br /><br />Love and Hugs ~ KatHeart2Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5818165091436998772009-04-16T10:43:00.000+10:002009-04-16T10:43:00.000+10:00This is a great post and one I'll be saving for my...This is a great post and one I'll be saving for my next, and final, house building. Love the new blog design too.ChristyACBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396628757148282551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80655817020426757772009-04-16T09:21:00.000+10:002009-04-16T09:21:00.000+10:00Hello Rhonda,
Once again very sound advise. When...Hello Rhonda, <br /><br />Once again very sound advise. When we lived on the farm we had a 23,000 gallon cement tank that was still going strong when we sold after 20 years. That carried us through many drought years and we were even able to help out a neighbour who had run out of water in one very bad year. He was able to shower at our place and take some water home for his cooking etc. Water, food and shelter are the most important items we need to survive if things turn really tough. So again thanks for the timely reminder.<br /><br />Blessings Gailgailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6713269485098489092009-04-16T08:45:00.000+10:002009-04-16T08:45:00.000+10:00This post is of real interest to me as I decided l...This post is of real interest to me as I decided last week that I need to get to grips with my back garden. I know that I wish to plant fruit and vegetables so am currently reading up about what to plant, plus I wish to install a compost bin and water butt.<br /><br />I have been reading your blog for some time but until last week I just read and wished but did not action in anyway. That is, until this last weekend when I thought 'just do it!' So, I have started knitting a cardigan, knitted three squares for a throw for this winter, and made a chicken soup using up a chicken carcass for the very first time! So, a thousand thanks from a soon to be 45 year old who was in a real rut but who now feels renewed when I wake up.<br /><br />Many belated birthday wishes too!<br /><br />ElizabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63715877117191048672009-04-16T07:35:00.000+10:002009-04-16T07:35:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean a timely post for us as we have jus...Hi Rhonda Jean a timely post for us as we have just drained our tank to remove it from the stand as the pipes that hold it are rusting through. Hubby is interested in how you have the downpipes go underground and back up to the tank. Wouldn't it back up in the gutter? He likes the idea of putting the tank on ground level. Could you just mention that bit or show a pic. Thank you for all your words of wisdom that you share with us.<br />Patricia in North QueenslandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com