Is Water Collected from a Rainwater Tank Safe?

by Ri Industries

Warmer weather typically means increased water use around the home. Plants, grass, and gardens need extra watering. Pools need to be filled or topped off, and people tend to need an extra shower here and there. Perhaps this is why we’ve been fielding a lot questions about our Ri Industries Concrete Rainwater Tanks.

rainwater_tanks

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is about the safety of drinking the collected rainwater. According to SA Health (sahealth.sa.gov.au):

“Generally rainwater is safe to drink. If the rainwater is clear, has little taste or smell and is from a well-maintained system, it is probably safe and unlikely to cause any illness for most users.

Disinfecting the water before consumption should be considered for those who are immuno-compromised such as the very young or very old, cancer patients, people with diabetes, organ transplant recipients or people who are HIV positive. This can be achieved by bringing the rainwater to the boil.”

Another often asked question is about the quality of collected rainwater. Again, according to SA Health:

“Rainwater collected in tanks generally contains few chemicals. However, there may be increased pollution by airborne contaminants from very heavy traffic or in industrial areas.

Collection of rainwater for human consumption (drinking and cooking) in areas affected by very heavy traffic, industry, incinerators and smelters is not recommended.

The microbiological quality of rainwater collected in domestic tanks may not be as good as mains water, but if collection systems are well maintained, the risk of harmful organisms being present is low. The supply of good quality water depends on ensuring correct design and installation followed by sensible maintenance of the rainwater tank and catchment area. The collection of rainwater involves low maintenance — not no maintenance.”

When you purchase and install a concrete rainwater tank from Ri Industries, you can be certain of correct and quality design and installation. Our rainwater tanks are very low maintenance as you will see on the maintenance page of our website.

For more information, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

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Helpful Tips to Conserve Water in the Garden

by Ri Industries

Have you been feeling an itch in your green thumb? Warmer weather tends to have that effect whether you’re an avid gardener or not.  Plants and flowers not only look pretty, but have been scientifically proven to help us feel happier. Now that’s a great reason to head outdoors and get your hands dirty! All we ask, is when you tend to your garden keep water conservation in mind.

It is possible to grow a gorgeous garden while being water conscious. Here are just a few tips on how:

  • Water the roots of plants rather than the leaves, reducing wind spray and evaporation.
  • Don’t water in the middle of the day, in windy conditions or if it is likely to rain.
  • Make a small dam from mulch and soil to avoid water running off the soil.
  • Cool season grasses should be left longer in summer but warm season grasses such as couch and buffalo can be kept short.
  • Avoid cutting grass by more than a third of its length at any one time.
  • Replace struggling plants in autumn with drought tolerant species.
  • Place plants in the right spot so they can get the proper amount of sunlight and will not require extra watering.
  • Outdoor plants in pots use a lot more water than plants in the ground so use sparingly.
  • Wetting agents can reduce pot watering by 50 percent and water storage products in the soil will also extend periods between watering.
  • Good quality garden tap fittings save water because they are less likely to break or drip.
  • Drip irrigation systems are more water efficient than overhead watering because they deliver water directly to the root system, don’t cause overspray and prevent excess surface evaporation.
  • A digital watering timer can also significantly reduce the amount of water used.

Of course, our best tip is to use water from a rainwater tank!  Concrete rainwater tanks from Ri Industries offer many benefits, such as:

  • 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.

For more information, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

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Rainwater Tanks Conserve Water at Home

by Ri Industries

Australians are urged to conserve water every day.  However, the problem is not ours alone.  A 2015 report by NASA states that 21 of the world’s 37 largest aquifers (underground reservoirs) have passed their sustainability tipping points, meaning more water was removed than replaced during the decade-long study period.

Aquifers can take thousands of years to fill up and only slowly recharge with water from snowmelt and rains. The NASA study found the Canning Basin in Australia’s western end had the third-highest rate of depletion in the world.

In 2007, the people of Adelaide were told that “critical human needs” might not be met in the future. Despite what many people believe, there is not an unending supply of water. It is imperative that we work together to conserve our water supply.

Aquifers supply roughly 35% of water used by humans worldwide. We need to find balance by removing less water than is added. Ri Industries blogs, such as this one, contain lots of simple tips for conserving water around the home.

Ri Industries concrete rainwater tanks are a great way to conserve water at home. The tanks can be installed above ground or below ground and they offer a number of advantages, such as:

  • 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.
  • Our reinforced concrete rainwater tanks are built to last and basically are maintenance free.

Learn more about our concrete rainwater tanks by calling us at 08 8444 8100.

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Conserve Water by Using Waterless Urinals

by Ri Industries

Australians are bombarded with information about our dry climate and concerns of drought. Ri Industries contributes by encouraging water conservation and providing tips to conserve as much water as you can. One method of water conservation that we have not touched upon is the waterless urinal. Now don’t be frightened of what a waterless urinal might look like, or worse even, smell like, after a number of uses. Let us explain the process before you make up your mind.

Let’s start with why one must flush a urinal. After all, isn’t the item deposited into the urinal a liquid that will just go down the drain? Of course the answer to that is yes, but that liquid most likely has a certain odour attached to it and without flushing the shiny porcelain with water, that odour may linger. In a regular urinal, water pools in a U-shaped trap under the drain, forming a seal against sewer gases below. In contrast, a cartridge of liquid sealant sits on top of the drain in a waterless urinal. The liquid is lighter than the urine, which sinks through the cartridge and drains out. The sealant keeps any sewer gases from backing up. Such a simple solution that can make a great impact in our efforts to conserve water.

It seems the biggest hurdle in using waterless urinals is us: humans. We’re not always easy to retrain. Old habits die hard and we don’t like change. Reports show that most of the problems seen with waterless urinals are due to human error during maintenance. One of the largest manufacturers of waterless urinals is now developing a product which eliminates the need for humans to get involved, except for changing the cartridge every so often, so improvements should be seen.

What do you think? Do waterless urinals sound like a good conservation tool? We do!

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How Do People Spend Their Time on the Toilet?

by Ri Industries

People are, by nature, very social beings. We look to spend time with friends and family and feel lonely when we are by ourselves for too long – except when it comes to time spent in the loo. Then, most of us, look to be alone. After all, these are very personal matters we are attending to. But, have you ever wondered exactly what goes on behind those closed toilet doors?

If you have, you are not alone. Plenty of studies have been conducted to determine how we spend our time in the loo. Always looking to keep our customers informed, Ri Industries has compiled a list of some the most interesting findings for your amusement and education.

  • An average person will spend approximately 1 and a half years of their life in the toilet.
  • Men spend more time on the loo than women do.
  • A 2013 study found that 6% of Australians access social networks in the toilet and 7% access social networks in the bathroom.
  • A study conducted by MSN News in 2013 found 59% of men and women admitted to sending texts and 45% to sending emails, nearly a third said they had taken a call and 24% revealed that they have phoned someone whilst on the toilet.
  • 29% of people in the study said it was because they ‘wanted to prevent boredom setting in’ and 12% said that they felt pressure to stay on top of emails and messages, even while in the toilet.
  • 15% of people admitted to having dropped their mobile down the toilet.
  • An American Standard study found 63% of people read books, magazines, and newspapers when in the toilet.
  • 95 percent of people do not wash their hands properly before leaving the bathroom, according to a 2013 study conducted by Michigan State University researchers.
  • 15% of men don’t wash their hands, ever, compared with 7% of women. And of the people who do? Just 50% of men use soap, compared to 78% of women.

So now you know what happens behind those closed doors. We bet you’ll remember those hand washing facts the next time someone reaches to shake your hand!

 

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Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Toilet Paper

by Ri Industries

Hopefully, you have read our previous blogs and know that they are full of useful and important information about septic systems, green living, and water conservation. There is one topic which has been overlooked despite the impact it has on each of these topics: toilet paper.
How do you choose the toilet paper you buy? Do you grab the least expensive? Do you look for “green” labeling? Do you choose 1 ply, 2 ply, or 3 ply? Do you research which brand will have the least effect on our environment? Perhaps you are uncertain what you should consider before making this important purchase, so we have compiled a number of facts to educate and entertain you.
• Did you know that approximately 70 – 75% of the world does NOT use toilet paper? Some areas of the world have a lack of trees which means not enough resources to produce the paper. Some people cannot afford toilet paper whilst others just don’t want to spend money on fancy paper that is made just to wipe their bums.
• A roll of toilet paper lasts approximately 5 days in an average household.
• On average, people use 8 – 9 sheets of toilet paper per use with an average of 57 sheets per day.
• On average, 384 trees are used to make the toilet paper one man will use in a lifetime.
• The first paper specifically designed for the task of cleaning ones’ bottom dates back to the 14th century when a Chinese emperor ordered it in 2 foot X 3 foot sheets.
• Rolled and perforated toilet paper, as we use today, dates back to the 1880’s.
• People who hang the paper to be pulled from behind are considered to be more intelligent than those who hang it to be pulled from the top.
• In 1935, Northern Tissue proudly advertised splinter free toilet paper. That’s right, be grateful for the softness we experience today!
• In 1999, The Virtual Toilet Paper Museum opened.
• Only five percent of the toilet paper we flush away in Australia is made from recycled paper.
1millionwomen.com provides some good information on the effects of worldwide toilet paper production and its impact on the environment. For example, how many brands claim to be “green”, but are not as green as we are led to believe. They explain just what we should look for in green toilet paper.
If going green is not your top concern, perhaps you would like to go gold. Yes, Toilet Paper Man has a limited supply (1) of 3 ply toilet paper with 24 carat gold throughout the roll. Best of all, this product is proudly made right here in Australia!

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Why Should I Worry About Water Conservation?

by Ri Industries

Hearing about water conservation when living in Australia is common. We know there is a shortage and we understand that we should take steps to help conserve it. Taking these steps in our daily life can sometimes be frustrating and it’s easy to ignore the steps “just this once.” Ri Industries provides quality products to help make water conservation as seamless and simple as possible for you and we thought sharing a few facts about why water conservation is so important might help keep you motivated.

  • Water is nature’s most precious resource and it is needed to sustain life. Well, that seems important enough that we could just stop there, but we have more.
  • Since the 1950s, every decade has witnessed more water withdrawals by humans.
  • Water is used commercially, domestically, industrially and for irrigation purposes. It plays a vital role in the life support system.
  • Water levels across the globe are decreasing and there are signs of stress on all water resources.
  • The plants and animals we eat also depend on water. Our food supply is at risk when we waste water.

Conserving water requires efforts from every human being on this planet. We must all make a concerted effort on a daily basis. Ri Industries is proud to offer solutions to help conserve water on our planet. To learn more, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Plants for Your Low Water Backyard Garden

by Ri Industries

Garden plants help to define spaces and provide shade, screening and privacy. While you want the plants to be attractive, here in South Australia it is important to choose plants that have low water needs.

To help you get started, Hunter Water has compiled a list of such plants which we share here:

  • Small Trees: Crepe Myrtle, Medlar, Quince, Swamp Mallet, Willow Bottlebrush
Crepe Myrtle

Crepe Myrtle

  • Screening Shrubs: Feijoa, Escallonia, Common Myrtle, Hillock Bush
Common Myrtle

Common Myrtle

  • Small Shrubs: Gold Dust Wattle, Sage-Leaf Rock Rose, Native Fuchsia
Gold Dust Wattle

Gold Dust Wattle

  • Ornamental Grasses: Feather Reed Grass, Turf Lily, Spiny-headed mat Rush, New Zealand Flax
Feather Reed Grass

Feather Reed Grass

  • Lawn Grasses: Common Couch, Buffalo Grass, Weeping Grass
Weeping Grass

Weeping Grass

Ri Industries has additional tips to help reduce water use in the garden. Please read our blogs, “Design Your Garden to Use Less Water” and “Reduce Water Use in the Garden.”

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Garden Design Requiring Low Water Maintenance

by Ri Industries

Tending a garden in South Australia can be a challenge due to our dry climate, but it is possible to design a garden to use less water. The following tips come via Hunter Water and can be useful to help you design a dream garden for your home.

  • Construct draining ditches so that they finish in garden beds.
  • Paths and courtyards can be pitched to drain to garden beds
  • Decks, gravel paths and gravel edges to paving can allow water to
    soak into the ground.
  • Minimise lawn areas with paving, paths, decking and garden beds.
  • Minimise the number of pot plants as they dry out quickly and use more water than the same plant in the ground.
  • Minimise evaporation by using trees, fences, garden walls and shade cloth.
  • Mulch is magic for water saving. It reduces moisture loss but also suppresses weeds, maintains soil temperatures and generally improves the soil.
  •  Group similar plants according to their water needs and you will reduce your overall
    watering need.

Learn how the Ri –Treat Waste Water System can recycle your waste water for use in your garden and find even more helpful tips in Ri Industries blog “Tips to Save Water in the Garden.”

 

Ri-Treat Waste Water System Helps Save Drinking Water

by Ri Industries
Ri-Treat – Waste Water Treatment System

Ri-Treat – Waste Water Treatment System

 

Think about how much water you use each day. Chances are, much of the water you use in the house and garden is potable (drinkable), but do we use it in that way? The answer is simply, no. We are wasting our drinking water.

You may have read articles or experienced water shortages. You may make an effort to take shorter showers or turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Thank you for that. Every effort helps. To make an even larger impact, how about reusing waste water?

By using waste water as a resource rather than a waste product you can:

  • reduce water bills
  • use fewer water resources
  • irrigate the garden during drought or water restrictions
  • cut down the amount of pollution going into waterways
  • help save money on new infrastructure for water supplies and wastewater treatment
  • decrease demand on infrastructure for sewage transport, treatment and disposal, allowing it to work better and last longer.

The Ri-Treat Waste Water Treatment System separates and digests solid wastes and uses natural processes to purify waste water. This odourless, clean, disinfected water is then recycled through garden sprinklers. To learn how this system works, please follow this link to the Ri Industries website or call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

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Why is Water Conservation So Important?

by Ri Industries

Water is one of the most important natural resources we need, but it is also a resource we have misused and wasted. To better understand the growing importance of water conservation, let’s look at a few facts.

First, the average adult human body is 50-65% water, averaging around 57-60%. The percentage of water in infants is much higher, typically around 75-78% water, dropping to 65% by one year of age. To remain healthy, we must replenish the water we lose through sweat, tears, urine, etc. We need drinkable water supplies in abundance.

Second, the Earth has a finite amount of water. The water we have now is all we get, it is recycled over and over. The water cycle can help understand why this is.

Solar energy evaporates water from the ocean, lakes and rivers. Millions of litres of water rise into the atmosphere as an invisible gas – water vapour. This process is called evaporation.

As the water vapour is pushed over the land by winds and rises over mountains, the water vapour cools and turns back into tiny water droplets, forming clouds. The droplets joining together is termed condensation. These droplets fall to earth as rain (precipitation).

The rain runs into streams and rivers, which eventually flow into lakes or the sea and the cycle begins all over again.

Third, water is required for our food. It grows our fruits and vegetable and it is consumed by cattle.

Fourth, water is necessary for plant life which is necessary to keep us healthy. Plants re-oxygenate the air. Plants are used to make medications. Trees are used for housing, paper, and so much more.

The above are just a few tidbits to help explain why Ri Industries is so committed to water conservation efforts. To learn how our products can help with conservation, call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Where Does Water Come From?

by Ri Industries

How many sources of water do you know? There may be more than you realize, which is why the theme for this years’ National Water Week (19 -25 October 2014) is Water Sources.  The concerns of water shortage in Australia is well known, so it is vital that we understand where our water comes from and how we can make it last.

Here is a basic list of water sources:

  • Surface water – water on the Earth’s surface which can be found in a stream, river, lake, wetland, ocean or a dam.
  • Groundwater – water that occupies the spaces between particles of soil (sand, silt and clay) or rock beneath the earth’s surface.
  • Desalinated water – Desalination is the removal of salt, especially from sea water.
  • Stormwater – rainwater that has run off roads, roofs, paved areas etc. and is usually conveyed by constructed drains.
  • Wastewater – mostly from showers, baths and washing machines. After you’ve used your water, it enters a wastewater pipe, and then into the sewer mains (if you’re on mains) and eventually it reaches a wastewater treatment plant.
  • Groundwater replenishment – an innovative concept where treated wastewater is further treated to drinking water standards and recharged into groundwater supplies. The water is then stored and taken out some time later for further treatment and supply to a drinking water system. This source is currently only available in WA.
  • Recycled water – the use of treated wastewater or appropriately treated drainage water.  Before being recycled, wastewater is treated, according to stringent health regulations, to meet the appropriate standard for its intended use.  When reused for a beneficial purpose, this water is known as recycled. Increasing the amount of water we recycle is vital to maintaining a reliable, safe and sustainable water supply and becoming climate resilient. Recycled water can be used for a range of purposes such as:
  1. Irrigation of sports grounds, golf courses and public open spaces
  2. Industrial processing
  3. Groundwater replenishment
  4. Toilet flushing / clothes washing / garden watering
  5. Environmental benefits (e.g. maintaining wetlands) Irrigation of food crops. Irrigation of non-food crops (e.g. trees, woodlots, turf, flowers)
  6. Construction / dust suppression

Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tanks and Ri-Treat waste water treatment systems are exceptional tools to help reduce water waste. Call us today on 08 8444 8100, to learn more about our products.