Rainwater Harvesting Information

Friday, 5 August 2016 by Ri Industries

A question has been posed by a number of customers over the course of the past few weeks, so we thought it best to answer the question right here in our blog. The question relates to catching rainwater for harvesting.

To begin, rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses. It has become a popular topic of conversation as it can be very beneficial, especially in a dry climate like ours in South Australia (although we appreciate we have just had the wettest July day in 75 years!)
Some benefits of rainwater harvesting are:
• Reduce water bills
• Provide an alternative water supply during water restrictions
• Help maintain a green, healthy garden
• Depending upon the tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water use by 100%
• Decreases storm water runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding.
People have been asking where the rainwater is caught. Rainwater can be collected from most roof types, depending on the quality of rainwater required.
For garden or lawn irrigation:
• collect from any roof material except unsealed asbestos
• ensure all gutters fall towards the outlets
• preferably fit an effective leaf screen to the gutters
• use gutter outlets that fit to the underside of the gutter.
For all other uses, also:
• prevent vegetation from overhanging the roof
• clean the roof and gutters before installing the system
• fit a good quality leaf screen to gutters or use a leaf-shedding gutter.
For drinking water, avoid collecting rainwater:
• from sections of roof containing lead flashing or asbestos sheeting, and from roofs painted with pre-1980 paint. If they cannot be avoided, seal properly by preparing the surface and painting with a suitable potable-quality roof sealant, and do not collect rainwater from the first few rainfall events after sealing
• in areas where airborne toxins are present from nearby activities such as crop-dusting and chemical processing.
Tip:
If no leaf screen is fitted to gutters, fit leaf-shedding rain-heads to the downpipes to intercept leaves and reduce excessive leaf build-up.

Ri-Industries manufactures pre-cast concrete rainwater tanks with the following advantages to non-concrete tanks:
• The water stays cooler.
• No algae develops.
• The water has no after-taste.
• They are bullet proof, vandal-proof and fire-proof.
• Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
• Above ground tanks can be spray painted to fit in better with your surroundings.
• Concrete is stronger and more durable.
Do you have more questions? Call us at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to assist you.

Ri-Industries Now Distributes FujiClean Wastewater Treatment Systems

Thursday, 28 July 2016 by Ri Industries

In order to provide the best options for each of our customers, Ri-Industries is pleased to announce we are now a South Australian distributor of FujiClean wastewater treatment systems. Fibreglass domestic wastewater treatment systems from FujiClean offer an affordable, reliable option for homeowners needing a smaller wastewater treatment system, or where site access is difficult.

Just like our proven Ri-Treat system, the FujiClean CE-1500EX domestic model efficiently converts household wastewater from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry into safe, clean water for re-use around your garden.

These fibreglass tanks are a lightweight alternative to our Ri-Treat concrete tanks, and offer the following advantages:

Proven design and high performance
Simple maintenance and high energy efficiency
An environmentally friendly design, resulting in lower operational cost
Ease of installation in locations where access is difficult or limited
A warranty of 15 years for tanks and 2 years for electrical components.

Why do we feel so strongly about wastewater treatment? Water is a limited resource that is in constant recirculation over time. The water we use today will, eventually, make its way back into our lives tomorrow. Water conservation is vital to ensure our planet has the resources it needs in the years to come.

More information on the FujiClean wastewater system can be found on our website.

If you’d like to learn how a FujiClean wastewater system can benefit your home, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

Certification Approval Panel of TQCS International

Ri-Industries’ New Certifications!

Wednesday, 20 July 2016 by Ri Industries

Quality is of the utmost importance to us so we are honoured to share that Ri-Industries has formally been approved for certification by the Certification Approval Panel of TQCS International in three categories.
TQCS International is a fully accredited, third party certification body providing a number of certifications. Customers can be assured that a certified company is meeting or exceeding international standards.

Ri-Industries certifications include:
• AS 4801: Safety – Demonstrating compliance with internal and external safety systems, including performance, preventive measures and monitoring.
• ISO 9001: Quality – Recognising our compliance in areas including client liaison, internal communication, issue resolution and efforts toward continuous improvement.
• ISO 14001: Environment – Acknowledging our commitment to preserving the environment and preventing pollution.

The certification process is thorough and approval is not easy to achieve. We would like to thank our employees for their dedication and commitment to following strict procedures which ensure we continue to provide safe and quality service to our customers.

Learn more about our certifications, services, and products by calling 08 8444 8100.

Tips for Healthy Septic Tanks

Friday, 17 June 2016 by Ri Industries

There are few things more unpleasant than non-functioning septic tanks. The cost of repair, the inconvenience, and oh …. the smell! No need for excessive worry because maintaining healthy septic tanks can be fairly simple once you are armed with some knowledge. Ri Industries has gathered such knowledge to share with you:

Do not overload your septic system
Use water sparingly
Do only full dishwasher loads, and full washing machine loads, at off-peak times if possible
Do not put kitchen grease down the drain
Do not flush cigarettes, feminine products, disposable nappies, or other inorganic materials down the toilet
Do not put petrol, oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, etc., down the drain
Do not flush medicines
Only use cleaning products approved for septic tanks
Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks.

Learn more about maintaining healthy septic tanks by calling Ri Industries on 08 8444 8100.

Septic Tank FAQ’s

Thursday, 2 June 2016 by Ri Industries

Maintaining a residence or commercial building is a big expense and takes a lot of time. We expect to routinely dust, vacuum, wash floors, garden, and more. Then there are items that we assume are working in the background and will be there for us when we want them: such as electricity and plumbing. Septic tanks fall into that category. We hope once they are installed, they will reliably do their job as we ignore it and go on with our daily lives. The good news is that can almost be true. With some knowledge and maintenance, your septic tank should serve you well with little effort on your part. Ri Industries has collected some of the frequently asked questions by our customers so we can share the helpful answers to keep your septic tank running smoothly.

How often should my septic tank be pumped?

For an average family of 4-6 people your septic tank may have to be de-sludged (pumped out) approximately every 4 years as required by regulations.

Are there materials we should avoid putting in the septic tank?

Septic tanks do not like materials that will not break down e.g. plastic bags, tampons, disposable nappies, condoms, etc. Use biodegradable products whenever possible.

What cleaning products are safe for the septic tank?

The bacterial action of your septic tank can be severely inhibited if excessive amounts of disinfectants are used. Only use products approved for use in septic systems.

Is it safe to flush medicines?

As with certain cleaning products, excessive amounts of medicine can inhibit the bacterial action of the septic tank. It is best not to flush medicines.

I noticed some pooling around the area of the septic tank. What does this mean?

Pooling of effluent near your seepage trench will give you a warning that the system may be clogging up.

With just a little bit of care and maintenance, your septic tank will be one of the items in your home that requires little action on your part. To learn more or ask questions, call Ri Industries on 08 8444 8100.

To Bidet or Not To Bidet?

Thursday, 19 May 2016 by Ri Industries

Bidets are often thought to go hand in hand with the ultra rich, but in recent years environmentalists have sparked a debate over the benefits of bidet usage. Ri Industries would like to offer some of the points of discussion to help you get to the, ahem, bottom of the issue and decide for yourself if using a bidet fits in your environmental plan.

Perhaps your first thought is, wait a minute! Australia has a dangerously dry climate and we work so hard to conserve water. Why on earth would I add water to a dry process that has worked just fine for me? Well that’s a reasonable question. Obviously, using a bidet will increase the amount of water used during each trip to the bathroom, but there are many factors which show using a bidet may actually result in less overall water usage.

Before we expand on the water usage, let’s discuss saving the trees. What? When did trees enter our bathrooms? Trees are wrapped around that spindle in the form of toilet paper. Think about how much toilet paper you use on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Now multiply that by the number of people in your household, your city, etc. We use a lot of toilet paper. There have been many studies to learn exactly how much and the consensus is that each person uses approximately 1 – 2 rolls of toilet paper per week. That means 1 person uses about 100 rolls per year. 1 pine tree can produce 2000 rolls or enough toilet paper for 20 people per year. In 2015, Australia had an estimated population of 23.9 million people. 11,950 trees will be sacrificed for Australians on a yearly basis. What is the bidets impact on this? Complete elimination of toilet paper, or at the least, a reduction in the use of toilet paper. While the bidet will handle the cleaning aspect, some may still want assistance with the drying process. Of course cloth could be used, but again, some may prefer using something disposable.

So it seems rather clear that using a bidet can reduce paper waste, but let’s go back to water waste. How does a bidet save water if it in fact introduces more water into the bathroom process? The answer brings us back to toilet paper. What you may not realize is just how water intensive the paper manufacturing process is. According to mnn.com, “Even if water used by a mill is locally sourced, rather than drawn from a municipal system, the effluent from paper production invariably finds its way back into the environment. That means a flood of organic waste and chemical residue which must be processed or, worse yet absorbed, after being treated and dumped into some unlucky river or ocean.” Bidets use a fraction a the water used to manufacture toilet paper; even less than manufacturing recycled toilet paper.

These are two of the major points in the debates about the environmental impact of bidets. What are your thoughts? Would you be comfortable using a bidet if it made a positive impact on our environment?

Septic System Start Up Suggestions

Thursday, 5 May 2016 by Ri Industries

Congratulations on installing a brand new septic system! You’re ready for things to flow smoothly, but if you are like many of our customers you may be wondering if there are any special steps you should take when first using the septic system.

People talk about priming, prepping, or kick starting a new septic system. Since bacteria in the septic system naturally breaks down organic waste matter and slows the accumulation of the sludge layer, there is a common belief that materials should be introduced to kick start the growth of bacteria. People have been known to place a dead possum or sheep in the septic tank as well as buttermilk.

You may be happy, and relieved, to learn that this is not a necessary step. The natural sewage which flows into the septic system as soon as it is installed provides plenty of nutrients for the bacteria to do its job.

After Ri Industries installs a new septic system, we do recommend one little extra step be taken. Fill the tank with clean water and then add a cupful of lime to the toilet once per day for seven days. The lime prevents odours and increases the pH or alkalinity which encourages the growth of the good bacteria wanted in the septic system.

Call Ri Industries at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to answer all of your septic system questions.

How to Spot Problem Signs in Septic Tanks

Thursday, 14 April 2016 by Ri Industries

Would you know if your septic tank wasn’t working properly? Would you be able to read the signs before the problem grew? Because it stinks when a minor issue turns into a big emergency, Ri Industries want you to be aware of problem signs in septic tanks.

The following excerpt has been taken from Health.gov.au:

The septic tank will need to be checked if there are signs that it is not working properly.

Some signs that a septic tank is not working properly are:

The sewage in the toilet or the liquid waste from other fixtures flows away very slowly
Liquid waste overflows from the disconnector trap
Wet areas are seen at the top of the septic tank
There is a strong unpleasant smell near the septic tank
The grass around the tank is very green and growing well

In the case of on-site disposal systems, it is important to remember that some of these signs may indicate problems with the leach or French drain. Therefore, these drains will need to be checked at the same time as the septic tanks are checked.

If the septic tank and the leach or French drain need to be pumped out, both should be done at the same time.

Ri Industries adds the following:

For an average family of 4-6 people your septic tank may have to be de-sludged (pumped out) approximately every 4 years as required by regulations.
Septic tanks do not like material that will not break down e.g. plastic bags, tampons, disposable nappies, condoms, etc. Use biodegradable products whenever possible.
The bacterial action of your septic tank can be severely inhibited if excessive amounts of disinfectants or old medicine make their way into the tank. Only use products approved for use in septic systems.
Pooling of effluent near your seepage trench will give you a warning that the system may be clogging up.

Proper maintenance can help avoid unexpected and costly repairs. To learn more, call us at 08 8444 8100.

How Do Bathroom Habits Differ Between Men and Women?

Thursday, 24 March 2016 by Ri Industries

Ri Industries specialises in septic and waste water systems, among other things, so we often speak about things that take place in the bathroom. A frequent theme in the conversations is the difference between the habits of men and the habits of women while taking care of their personal needs.

It seems the common perception is that men are not quite as clean as women. Imagine our surprise when we came across a recent study which finds this common perception may not be true. Here are some of the findings from the recent research conducted by Initial Hygiene.

Washing hands at work:

43 per cent of women believed men do not wash their hands at work while 89 per cent of men believed women do wash their hands at work. The study found that 96 per cent of men and women wash their hands with soap at work.

Wipe before sitting:

77 per cent of men clean the toilet seat before sitting while only 59 per cent of women do. How about cleaning the seat after their use? 52 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women take the time to do so.

Lowering the lid:

69 per cent of men lower the lid before flushing compared to 62 per cent of women.

Freshening up:

The perceptions on this one might be accurate. 84 per cent of women take time to tweak their appearance in the bathroom while only 70 per cent of men do so.

As it turns out, men may actually be more hygienic than women. Psychologist Emma Kenny, says it appears men have a ‘real understanding of the importance of bathroom cleanliness’ despite negative assumptions placed upon them. ‘Men are instinctually protective and territorial and these natural predilections could well be why they take care when using their own and others toilets,’ she said.

So there you have it. As a business that employs a number of men, we feel it is our duty to share this research and spread the word about the admirable hygiene of men.

What are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting?

Thursday, 10 March 2016 by Ri Industries

Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses. The rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other manmade aboveground hard surfaces. For a dry climate such as we have here in South Australia, rainwater harvesting can make a huge beneficial impact on the environment.

Most rural households have to source all their water on their property, and rainwater often provides a better quality household supply than river, bore or dam water. Rainwater harvesting is not just for rural areas though. Although urban households may be connected to a reticulated, treated (mains) water supply, rainwater harvesting can significantly lower mains water usage.

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting? It will reduce water bills, provide an alternative supply during water restrictions and help maintain a green, healthy garden. In fact, depending upon tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water use by 100%. Rainwater harvesting also decreases stormwater runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding and scouring of creeks.

From yourhome.gov.au:

Rainwater can be collected from most roof types, depending on the quality of rainwater required.

For garden or lawn irrigation:

collect from any roof material except unsealed asbestos
ensure all gutters fall towards the outlets
preferably fit an effective leaf screen to the gutters
use gutter outlets that fit to the underside of the gutter.

For all other uses, also:

prevent vegetation from overhanging the roof
clean the roof and gutters before installing the system
fit a good quality leaf screen to gutters or use a leaf-shedding gutter.

For drinking water, also avoid collecting rainwater:

from sections of roof containing lead flashing or asbestos sheeting, and from roofs painted with pre-1980 paint — if they cannot be avoided, seal properly by preparing the surface and painting with a suitable potable-quality roof sealant, and do not collect rainwater from the first few rainfall events after sealing
in areas where airborne toxins are present from nearby activities such as crop-dusting and chemical processing.

It is important to note that if your rainwater is to be used for human consumption, the system must be designed, operated and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable.

If you are interested in learning more about rainwater harvesting, please have a look at the concrete rainwater tanks on the Ri-Industries website or give us a call.

Does Laundry Affect the Septic System?

Friday, 19 February 2016 by Ri Industries

It’s time to do a load of clothes washing, but first there are a few things to think about. How to separate colours? What temperature water should be used? Which detergent is best? When making these decisions, do you ever consider how to best care for the septic system? That’s right. To help keep your septic system in the best working order, there are some things you should consider when using your washing machine.

A Little Bit at a Time

This may be good news or bad news depending upon your view. To best care for your septic system, loads should be well spaced apart. If you’re someone who likes to do one load after another until the week’s laundry is done in just one day, you might want to have another think. When too much water passes through the septic tank, it does not have enough time to undergo the settlement process to properly breakdown the solid matter. The end result is that your soakage field fails, causing expensive damages.

Clean Out BOTH Lint Trays

You probably clean out the dryer lint tray already, but did you know the washing machine has a lint tray also? Laundry debris and lint can escape to your pipes causing severe blockages. These substantial backups can break down your septic system, so take this tip seriously.

Go Au Natural

Antibacterial ingredients that are found in many household cleaners can hurt your septic system because they kill the good bacteria needed to break down waste in the tank. This applies to your washing detergent as well. Powders tend to contain clay and fillers that promote clogs. Choose all natural cleaners and avoid these concerns.

Have more questions about how laundry affects your septic system? Give Ri Industries a call at 08 8444 8100

How to Make a Pet Waste Digester

Thursday, 4 February 2016 by Ri Industries

Ri Industries provides quality septic systems for human waste, but what about those who share their home with furry family members? An environmentally friendly method to dispose of pet waste is needed as well.

Search online and you will find doggie septic systems you can purchase; or you can follow these step-by step instructions we found on thebark.com and build one yourself.

Take an old plastic rubbish container and drill a dozen or so holes in the sides.
Cut out the bottom. (A keyhole saw works great for this.)
Dig a hole deep enough for the rubbish container.
Toss some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage and position the rubbish container so it’s a little above ground level.
Place the lid on top. (You might want to paint something like “Dog Waste Composter” across the lid.)
Start scooping

It is recommended you sprinkle some septic starter when you add poop. The septic starter should begin to work within 48 hours and you can then add poop daily.

What do you think? It seems simple enough and after a little bit of work you have a clean and environmentally way to dispose of pet waste. Let us know how it works if you decide to give it a try.

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