More and More and More Green Elements in Buildings – part c

More and More and More Green Elements in Buildings – part c

Rainwater harvesting is another fairly convenient green element in a building that is affordable by the local. Such system recycles water for irrigation or toilet flushing. In fact, such strategy is not an innovative thinking and has been used 4000 years ago in Greece.

But of course, the current system that most people use is much advance than the one used in ancient Greece. There are two main techniques of rainwater harvesting. The first one Is storing rainwater on surface for future use and the other is recharging them to ground water. The first scheme of collecting rainwater through gutter and pipe to the rainwater tank is widely used by public. And the later one that recharge water to the ground is a new concept that need further components such as trenches, dug wells, hand pumps, etc.

The benefits by rainwater harvesting are wide spread, ranges from the community, local councils to the developers. It reduces mains water consumption, water supply infrastructure costs and the requirements for new or bigger dams. Also, it improve water security of supply, asset protection such as lawns, gardens and motor vehicles, and storm water quality.

I don’t know how much water can be saved through such system, however, it works more than just a system that recycles water, but also a mind to protect and sustain our environment. With more and more green elements installed in a buildings, public show their care on sustainability.

References:

Elements of Green Building

http://theconstructor.org/building/buildings/elements-of-green-building/5375/

Rainwater Harvesting

http://www.bluescopesteel.com.au/building-products/rainwater-harvesting