[LINK] Free Sydney Smart Home

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Ivan Trundle wrote:
<snip>
> One thing that was mentioned at a recent water conference was that water tanks encourage more profligate use of water in areas where town water is provided. It has the opposite effect intended, and removes water from environmental flows. Of course, in areas where there is NO town water and limited rainfall, it has the desired effect of encouraging conservation.
> 
> Who would have thought?
> 
<snip>

Water restrictions - "you can only water your garden on
wednesdays between 6 and 10" probably also encouraged people
who had never watered their garden to start!

Was there any discussion about comparative policies?

I understand in Toowoomba (Qld?) your toilet has to be
connected to town water - you can drink tank water.

However, in Sydney (NSW?) use of tank water for clothes
washing and toilet is encouraged.

I suspect the main use of tank water (where there is town water)
is for watering gardens - better garden design/plant selection
eliminates the need for any artificial watering and reduces
need for artificial fertilisers- though enough water has to be
able to get into the ground - through porous surfaces.
(In canberra such use would contribute to environmental flows
<http://ramin.com.au/annandale/homegarden.shtml>

Constructed Urban Wetlands seem to be moving from water
quality improvement to irrigation (Water Mining/Harvesting)
of both storm water and household water.
> Along its way to the creeks, the water collects surface pollutants from the pavements, roads, parks and gardens. The Federal Park and Whites Creek wetlands have been constructed to filter out some of the nutrients and debris, before the water enters the harbour.
<http://www.ramin.com.au/annandale/wetlands.shtml>

> Smart Irrigation and Lighting Management
<http://www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/environment_and_health/our_sustainable_city_temp_folder/projects_around_your_city_page.html>


BASIX <http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/> was considered "too
expensive" by developers.

But it would be interesting if rental and properties for
sale had to provide a BASIX rating - though at present
it seems to be a landlords market.

We need to look at holistic systems....I am reminded of a 
tour of the Hobart sewers - where a doctor is acknowledge 
for pointing out, to the early settlers, the link between 
their upstream ablutions contaminating their downstream 
drinking water and getting sick!

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://ramin.com.au
Tel: 0414-869202