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rainwater harvesting

  • 12-05-2008 12:26PM
    #1
    wazzoraybelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 659 ✭✭✭


    THe house I'm renovating has a rainwater harvesting system thats over 150 years old and has several tanks to hold more than 5000 gallons of water. Up until recently this was the only source of water for the residents.
    But all the roofs have lead flashings on them which would make the water non potable, no?
    I see more modern and expensive systems for sale all the time and as most houses have some amount of lead flashing on their roofs I wonder what exactly is this water suitable for besides washing the car and flushing the toilet.
    It seems like an awful amount of hassle and expense to install one just for this small benefit. are rainwater harvesters just another example of green status symbols?


Comments

  • #2
    Oldtree
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,109 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    I did a bit of research on this a while back, most of it googled. The australian and new zealand council authorities have a lot of info on it.

    Suffice it to say that as the water is only in transient contact with the lead, their analysis has shown that there is no measurable difference in the uptake of lead into the water from flashings, unless the water pools in lead flashings, lead valleys, etc.

    I would be concerned about your existing pipework and tanks, both what they are made of and existing contents.

    Galvanised steel for flashings, valleys, pipes and tanks is suppost to be the best and safest. Ultraviolet filters are also good, but I have been using my rainwater for drinking for 4 years now and only a agricultural filter for large bits and a britta filter before drinking/cooking. I boil all the water for the baby use.


  • #3
    wazzoraybelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 659 ✭✭✭wazzoraybelle


    The system is still working fine with cast iron pipes taking the water from the roofs to the tanks which are made of stone and mortar. Thanks for that info on the water quality, seems like it might be okay for watering the veggies!


  • #4
    Oldtree
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,109 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    That sounds like a good system and great if only intend to water the veg. The only thing I would attach to your system is an agricultural filter, mine cost about €20 plus about a fiver for the filter. This would stop any rust or other undesirable bits of metal ending up in your veg patch. I have one at the start of the polytunnel watering system, just in case (group water scheme and rainwater).


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