Green without going new age or supertech

[desA]

I am beginning to get the feeling that severe lifestyle adjustments are on their way in SA.

From what I'm seeing, SA has led a fairly sheltered existence over the past 10-15 years, while the rest of the world has grappled with ways to conserve energy. I suspect that this is for the good & that after the pains of change have subsided, that SA will be all the better for it.

[tec0]

Now I wouldn’t say that... “You have the internet” familiarise yourself with what is going on before you say things like that. Right now we have been without water for about 48 hours. “No reason was given” our power systematically switches off at mid day and again in the afternoon. “We are not on load-shedding but still experience black outs.

We can do only so much. The links that I have provided will give an idea of the costs. Now to install a passive water system that will store a 1000 letters of water sounds good but there is a lot of things that people forget. That 1000 letters sounds like a lot of water but it is not. To go without water for about a week you need a lot more than that. Basic hygiene breaks down everything else goes with it.

[tec0]

http://www.waterforafrica.co.za/products/rain-water-tanks-and-systems.htm

http://www.jojotanks.co.za/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=8

Again I do not recommend these sights and there is “Contact Us” links and getting prices is not that difficult. Depending on your needs it can go from R1600 up.

This is some of the solutions when we sit without water for about 5 days. There is some extreme storage systems for the people that has the space and the money.

[AndyD]

I am beginning to get the feeling that severe lifestyle adjustments are on their way in SA.

I think any lifestyle adjustments will be because of utility infrastructure. I see load shedding becoming the norm again in the next few years and water supply in certain areas is already a major problem.

From what I'm seeing, SA has led a fairly sheltered existence over the past 10-15 years, while the rest of the world has grappled with ways to conserve energy.

SA might be five years behind the first world in this respect. Until recently the government has had higher priority issues than energy conservation plus I think it suits the first world fine to have a dumping ground for the 'end of run' old technologies that can't be sold elsewhere.

[desA]

Now I wouldn’t say that... “You have the internet” familiarise yourself with what is going on before you say things like that.

Ok, why I made the comment is that I've seen similar issues at play at both the developed & under-developed end of the international spectrum.

People are often conditioned to believe the world is coming to an end, when infrastructure begins to fall apart - especially if they are used to it as a part of everyday life. Sometimes we live luxurious lifestyles compared to other parts of the world. I have had the privilege of traveling through over 30 countries over the years. I'll bet you that, with all the hardships, SA is still a relative paradise.

When you've seen places where the people have little, or next to nothing, yet have survived - it makes an impression. There are always solutions to each of life's problems. We really do not need that much to be happy in life - honestly. In many ways, the changes in SA seem to bring it in line now, with parts of SE Asia. When things get really bad, an alternative way is found.

The simple ideas listed on this thread are great & will do a great deal to reduce the electricity bill. I really like the ideas about having water storage tanks, using rain-water, grey-water etc - this is good thinking.

Can you put a borehole in the garden, or well, & draw your own water? If there is a council bylaw prohibiting this, but they cannot guarantee steady water supply - then let them challenge you & carry on building it - its your land. It should not hold up in court.

These low-power lights are great - put them closer to the reading surface. Do you really need incandescant lights - no, I mean, really need them?

Electricity timers are great devices - turn off what you don't need at pre-set times.

[wynn]

Boreholes are an option but expensive, does anybody know what the thumbsuck cost per meter drilled is?

[tec0]

I will have to get back to you on that but I know it depends on the contractor doing the drilling.

Our winters is not that cold and our summers is murder but again with some proper insulation and cheep running fans it is manageable.

Still I want to come back to the luxury thing. I want running water because I pay for running water; I want electricity because I pay for electricity. I do not mind spending money if the property was my own. But with housing cost as it is... owning your own home will remain a distant pipe dream for a long long time to come.

I right now I am looking for mobile solutions to my power problems and water problems because I am not going to spend the money just so that it can get taken away from me. Fact is there must be a dynamic change in housing cost. If the house is NOT green then drop its value so that the owners are forced to upgrade. This attitude adjustment will go a long way and “thinking green” will become a way of life thus allowing for technology to be used and hopefully get cheaper along the line.

I feel government can also help by allowing “imported “green” equipment” to go without import tax. This will make it cost effective and allow the market to be flooded with alternatives. The bigger impact will be education and use of these systems and will allow generalisation.

Again government needs to participate actively and that is perhaps our biggest challenge. Fresh food and fresh water in my eyes must not be considered as a luxury.

[tec0]

More to a relevant point....

Photo via Red Ferret

How I didn’t hear about this sooner, I’ll never know. Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, went into water filtration awhile back.

Apparently this year he has unveiled the Slingshot, a filtration system for turning any water-containing liquid, including pee, into drinkable water. Not only that, but it can be run on cow poo.

Sound too good to be true? Maybe it is, or maybe Kamen doesn’t want it to take a giant belly flop like the Segway.

Read on for some interesting details about this product, and watch a video of Kamen on the Colbert Report.

The machine works by using vapor compression distillation. Any liquid, from sea water to mud puddles, can be run through the machine and come out as distilled, drinkable water. No filter is required, and since it runs on cow dung, it can be used in many rural areas and developing countries. Plus, it generates electricity as a byproduct.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008...ater-needs.php

I can honestly say I can see it working here. " if it works "

[AndyD]

Boreholes are an option but expensive, does anybody know what the thumbsuck cost per meter drilled is?

Depends on a thousand and one different things.

Up to around 9 meters depth is a standard well point with a surface mounted self priming jet pump. A well point should be less than 10 grand and might only be R5000.00 all in. It depends on how many holes they make to find good water. It also depends on the type of ground you're on.

Between 9 and 16-18 meters you can use a syrface mounted pump with a venturi half way down the hole, obviously a little more expensive.

Finally below 20 meters is usually a bore hole with a multistage submersible pump. Again depending on the depth and the ground (shale, gravel or coffee Klip as they call it requires codex drilling where they sleeve the hole as they drill) you could be looking at anything between 30 and 250 thousand Rands.

It's very geography specific, the best thing to do is to contact a reputable company and get a quote. They should know from other holes in your area what depth and difficulties will be involved.

[AndyD]

If you're a tight wad like me and you live in an area where the water table is fairly high you can make your own well point. I dug a hole 8.5 meters deep and placed 4 x dairy crates wrapped in shadecloth into the hole and positioned a 32mm class 10 HDPE pipe in the middle of them and filled the hole back in again. Less than a thousand Rand later for a pump voila...one well point. Gives me approx 70 liters per minute of crystal clear water all year round. Great for irrigation and other garden water, also use it for toilets and filling the pool. It's very rare I ever go above the free water allowance.

[desA]

Stunning...

[tec0]

I take it that you have the water tested before you start using it? I know of one or two places where the wells ware actually poisons. I strongly recommend that you test the quality of water before you start using it.

[desA]

Durban poisons?

[AndyD]

I take it that you have the water tested before you start using it? I know of one or two places where the wells ware actually poisons. I strongly recommend that you test the quality of water before you start using it.

We don't drink the water though I'd be surprised if it's not potable, just use it for irrigation, pool and toilet flush which is around 80% of our water consumption.

[IanF]

I dug a hole 8.5 meters deep and placed 4 x dairy crates .

Andy,
I am intrigued, how do you dig an 8.5M hole? That is deep.