Green Living Australia .com.au
Water, Quality & Conservation
by .... David Pearson
Well this page is a bit like that ... I wrote this some 4 or 5 years ago ... I mentioned water quality, and now many cities look like having recycled water added to their drinking water, or desalinated water, so personal water filtration has become even more of an issue. I mentioned water conservation, briefly, before dam levels became critical, and suggested grey water systems and household water tanks, as apossibillity, now in some areas new houses have to have water tanks. It is amazing to see so much change in circumstance, and attitide, in such a short time. |
Over 70% of our body is made up of water, most of our food is cooked in water, our food either drinks water or needs to be watered. So our water had better be plentiful and of good quality, but here in Australia this is not the case.
The "Sydney water scare" in the late nineties when we all had to boil tap water in the heart of Australia's biggest city, was certainly a wake up call. Ongoing sprinkler bans in our major cities, wetlands drying out and stock dying in the drought conditions are just indicators of what is to come. Climate change is upon us.
We as individuals need to do something now, to take responibility for our future and our own well being, but what can we do.
I believe that this can be broken down into two issues:-
- Water Quality
- Water Conservation
Water Quality
Household water quality is often an issue, from 'town water' to tank. Town water is direct from the tap and seemingly out of our control, and with tank water it can be a matter of you drink what you've got, or go thirsty, but we can do something about this.
There are a number of household water filter systems available, from complete house systems to 'filter jugs' that fit into your refrigerator door. Do your research well and you will find that the level of filtration is differrent from system to system, as is the filtration rate, and the 'filter element' life.
We have been using a Durand Water Filter for over a year now. These are a benchtop, stoneware, filter sytem that use the same Royal Doulton filter elements that are used by the miltary and aid organizations around the world. We are more than pleased with this great quality product, and use it for drinking water, cooking, as well as our tea and coffee. As a matter of fact we have an electric jug that has been used exlusively with water from the filter system, and the jug has none of that nasty scale that can build up on your jug element.
Our water quality can also be personally influenced by you. We all need to be aware that any and all pollutants end up in our air, water, & oceans. This process can be rapid or slow, what you pour down the sink can be doing damage almost immediately, and what ends up in landfill or tips may take years to enter the water table. Proper disposal of pollutant wastes and products is not just a legal requirement, but is a moral issue. I ask you, can you let yourself poison the environment slowly now, and your children for years to come ???
Water Conservation
For many Australians water conservation practises are just part of the routine, if you live in a rural area that tank of water has to last till the next rain. For those living in the cities water conservation has in the past been more a matter of saving a bit on 'the rates', but now with climate change inevitable, things are changing, for everyone.
Land management practices as well as city, suburban and even rural water usages will have to change.
The "man on the land" is already feeling the pinch with seemingly increased frequency of droughts that last longer, and now "city folk" are being placed under water restrictions just about every year if not permanently in some cities.
So what can we do to make a differrence ???
Well plenty actually, simple things like choosing garden plants that require little or no watering, or installing a rainwater tank. Once illegal in many cities, rainwater tanks are becoming very popular in the suburbs, even attracting generous [and sadly, some not so generous] rebates from some councils. There are also "grey water" diversion systems available that enable you to use your laundry water for watering the garden, although you should check with your local council before installing such a system as there may be regulations regarding this in your area.Valerie and I recently purchased a copy of the book "Sustainable House", by Micheal Mobbs, which while covering a lot more than just water, is a particularly good source of information on what you can do to utilise your present water supply to it's best level. Micheal has done amazing things in a small Sydney "row house", and we suggest this book published by Choice Magazine as a great read, and as an inspirational source of knowledge.
 | This page written by David Pearson"Hello, with so many important "Green Issues" that face us every day, it may be difficult to choose just 'one' to have your say about. But that is just what we are asking, if you would like to have your say, just like I have above, please email us at sales@greenlivingaustralia.com.au |