Hi,
I am starting to write my diseratation for my BSc construction management. My chosen subject is rainwater recycling systems. I am really struggling to find material relating to the subject.
Does anyone have any material that they would be willing to lend to me for a couple of months to get the sort of material I need.
It would also be a great way of taking the green constrution idea even further by sharing materials and information!!
Anyone can contact me on jbarnett@mansfield.go.uk
Thank you!
Tony
posted on 02-05-06
The very simplest form of rain water recycling is a water-butt! There are also rain water pipe adaptors which only capture and refill the water-butt when it is not full. These would both be worth a mention.
Also the Victorians used to lead rain water into underground fresh water tanks ( often confused with wells ) built from brick in a "bee hive" shape. They then pumped this water to the scullery and used it for laundry - it was beautiful soft water great for washing clothes in. So it is not such a new idea as we think.
Biff
posted on 03-05-06
I'm doing a little building and experimenting with green solutions. The question of gutters arises. (To get from the roof to the butt, of course) Most houses have plastic. Ruled out for a zillion reasons, pity they're so cheap, while the oil lasts. Cast iron - the price! And when you've done your dissertation, Joe, you can tell me what the embodied energy is. Rarely used but becoming more popular in England but ubiquitous across the Channel, is galvanised steel (cf Lindap) but it's still pretty expensive in cash and CO2. Which leaves wood. Now when was the last time anyone saw a house with wooden gutters? Yet every half decent joinery manual from the 19th century describes detailing for timber rainwater goods. So I'll be making mine out of oak (elm is so hard to come by). I reckon they will be the greenest solution and should last longer than PVC. They might even look nice.
Tony
posted on 03-05-06
In the Leeds area wooden gutters were commonplace and softwood ones could be obtained off the shelf from wood yards.
Round the corner from where I live is a Lutchens house with its original oak gutters still there.
