Hub City Farmer's MarketFebruary 20, 2010
Chapman Center, Spartanburg, SC
"Growing Food with Low Tech Rain Systems"
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Rain Rental
RENTAL Rainwater Catchment
With the ever changing markets and uncertainty in today’s time, it is paramount that we lean forward and rediscover some of the many old fashioned tried and trued methods of real sustainability. Today, saving money and sustainability have never been more important. We can help you produce your own food in a big way!
Ascot Earth Systems announces a new program to South Carolina Residents that will enable them to “try before you buy” or “try and never buy” rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation. The thrust of this offering is to let people see first hand what rainwater does for growing. While this water can be utilized in any way, it is geared towards those who are growing food and gardens. Rainwater produces better a harvest thus increasing revenues for market growers.
The way this program works:
Ascot Earth Systems will deliver, set up and provide consultation for using a rain harvesting system. Although many sizes are available, we are recommending for this starter program a 550 gallon tank system. There is a monthly fee and deposit with no time commitments. This means a grower/gardener can collect rainwater and receive its bounty and then return the growing season and then return the system after season close. This will give them a hands-on trial period to experience growing with rainwater. Ascot will return and pick system up.
Great for schools, nurseries, Master Gardeners, market growers etc.
Ascot Earth Systems was the first Rainwater Harvesting company in South Carolina and Georgia and continues to demonstrate and teach the many benefits of rainwater and the magic of this free and clean water source.
Contact Ascot for information.
info@ascotearthsystems.com
www.ascotrainharvesters.blogspot.com
Monday, January 4, 2010
What's That Smell and Why?
As a precursor, the municipalities are doing what they are told to do or required to do by federal agencies. Today, the smell of bleach in the municipal water supply is so strong that the bathroom smells as if it was just cleaned with bleach from the toilet off gassing! After a very quick research of the local water provider, here's what I found as well as another quick 'google' of why it's false.
TEMPORARY CHANGE IN DISINFECTANT NOTICE
DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY A TEMPORARY CHANGE IN THE DISINFECTANT USED IN THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE. BOTH WATER SUPPLIES FOR BLUE RIDGE WATER WILL BE USING CHLORINE RATHER THAN CHLORAMINES DURING THIS PERIOD. CUSTOMERS MAY NOTICE A SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE TASTE OR SMELL OF THEIR TAP WATER. THE MILD CHLORINE TASTE AND SMELL IS NORMAL AND POSES NO HEALTH RISK. MOST CUSTOMERS WILL NOT NEED TO TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS AS THE WATER REMAINS SAFE TO DRINK AND IS TREATED ACCORDING TO BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL STANDARDS. PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT NORMALLY TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS TO REMOVE CHLORAMINES FROM TAP WATER, SUCH AS DIALYSIS CENTERS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND AQUATIC PET OWNERS, SHOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE THE SAME PRECAUTIONS DURING THE TEMPORARY SWITCH FROM CHLORAMINES TO FREE CHLORINE.
Why this seems absurd:
DANGERS OF CHLORINE
________________________________________
If you are not convinced about the dangers of chlorine in your tap water, here's an extract from: Dr Z Rona MD MSc "Most people never give it a thought. After all, our elected public officials keep assuring us that chlorinated city tap water is completely safe for human consumption. Numerous scientific studies report that chlorinated tap water is a skin irritant and can be associated with rashes like eczema. Chlorinated water can destroy polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in the body while generating toxins capable of free radical damage (oxidation). This might explain why supplementation of the diet with essential fatty acids like flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil and antioxidants like vitamin E, selenium and others helps so many cases of eczema and dry skin.
"Chlorinated water destroys much of the intestinal flora, the friendly bacteria that help in the digestion of food and which protects the body from harmful pathogens. These bacteria are also responsible for the manufacture of several important vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin K. It is not uncommon for chronic skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, seborrhea and eczema to clear up or to be significantly improved by switching to unchlorinated drinking water and supplementing the diet with lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.
"Chlorinated water contains chemical compounds called trihalomethanes which are carcinogens resulting from the combination of chlorine with compounds in water. These chemicals, also known as organochlorides, do not degrade very well and are generally stored in the fatty tissues of the body (breast, other fatty areas, mother's milk, blood and semen). Organochlorides can cause mutations by altering DNA, suppress immune system function and interfere with the natural controls of cell growth.
"Chlorine has been documented to aggravate asthma, especially in those children who make use of chlorinated swimming pools. Several studies also link chlorine and chlorinated by-products to a greater incidence of bladder, breast and bowel cancer as well as malignant melanoma. One study even links the use of chlorinated tap water to congenital cardiac anomalies.
"Anything you can do to filter tap and shower water that eliminates or even minimizes chlorine would certainly be helpful and possibly curative for some immune system problems. The use of at source water filtration devices is increasingly popular and affordable. Discuss their use with your health care practitioner".
References:
Fackelman, K.A., Hints of a chlorine-cancer connection. Science News
Flaten, T.P., Chlorination of drinking water and cancer incidence in Norway. International Journal of Epidermiology.
Messina V., Chlorine and cancer. Good Medicine
TEMPORARY CHANGE IN DISINFECTANT NOTICE
DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY A TEMPORARY CHANGE IN THE DISINFECTANT USED IN THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE. BOTH WATER SUPPLIES FOR BLUE RIDGE WATER WILL BE USING CHLORINE RATHER THAN CHLORAMINES DURING THIS PERIOD. CUSTOMERS MAY NOTICE A SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE TASTE OR SMELL OF THEIR TAP WATER. THE MILD CHLORINE TASTE AND SMELL IS NORMAL AND POSES NO HEALTH RISK. MOST CUSTOMERS WILL NOT NEED TO TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS AS THE WATER REMAINS SAFE TO DRINK AND IS TREATED ACCORDING TO BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL STANDARDS. PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT NORMALLY TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS TO REMOVE CHLORAMINES FROM TAP WATER, SUCH AS DIALYSIS CENTERS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND AQUATIC PET OWNERS, SHOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE THE SAME PRECAUTIONS DURING THE TEMPORARY SWITCH FROM CHLORAMINES TO FREE CHLORINE.
Why this seems absurd:
DANGERS OF CHLORINE
________________________________________
If you are not convinced about the dangers of chlorine in your tap water, here's an extract from: Dr Z Rona MD MSc "Most people never give it a thought. After all, our elected public officials keep assuring us that chlorinated city tap water is completely safe for human consumption. Numerous scientific studies report that chlorinated tap water is a skin irritant and can be associated with rashes like eczema. Chlorinated water can destroy polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in the body while generating toxins capable of free radical damage (oxidation). This might explain why supplementation of the diet with essential fatty acids like flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil and antioxidants like vitamin E, selenium and others helps so many cases of eczema and dry skin.
"Chlorinated water destroys much of the intestinal flora, the friendly bacteria that help in the digestion of food and which protects the body from harmful pathogens. These bacteria are also responsible for the manufacture of several important vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin K. It is not uncommon for chronic skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, seborrhea and eczema to clear up or to be significantly improved by switching to unchlorinated drinking water and supplementing the diet with lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.
"Chlorinated water contains chemical compounds called trihalomethanes which are carcinogens resulting from the combination of chlorine with compounds in water. These chemicals, also known as organochlorides, do not degrade very well and are generally stored in the fatty tissues of the body (breast, other fatty areas, mother's milk, blood and semen). Organochlorides can cause mutations by altering DNA, suppress immune system function and interfere with the natural controls of cell growth.
"Chlorine has been documented to aggravate asthma, especially in those children who make use of chlorinated swimming pools. Several studies also link chlorine and chlorinated by-products to a greater incidence of bladder, breast and bowel cancer as well as malignant melanoma. One study even links the use of chlorinated tap water to congenital cardiac anomalies.
"Anything you can do to filter tap and shower water that eliminates or even minimizes chlorine would certainly be helpful and possibly curative for some immune system problems. The use of at source water filtration devices is increasingly popular and affordable. Discuss their use with your health care practitioner".
References:
Fackelman, K.A., Hints of a chlorine-cancer connection. Science News
Flaten, T.P., Chlorination of drinking water and cancer incidence in Norway. International Journal of Epidermiology.
Messina V., Chlorine and cancer. Good Medicine
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Product Testing
Ascot Earth Systems will offer testing results for Rainwater Harvesting Components.(RWHC) This announcement stems from the influx of RWHC hitting the market which has become confusing to contractors, homeowners, and designers as to what works and what does not. Many products claim to do things that in reality they do not perform. The first item that we will provide testing feedback for is The RainAid by Apex Valves. This device is designed to provide rainwater systems a back up supply from the primary (i.e. city main/well). We have conclusive field testing on this apparatus and will post the results. If you are a supplier or manufacturer and would like your product tested, contact Ascot Earth Systems. We will provide testing results of filters, pumps, gutter protection, bulkheads, fittings etc.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
South Carolina DNR Facility
Last week, we had the distinct honor of installing a 1550 gallon above ground cistern on an outdoor classroom at The Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI) facility at Fort Johnson near Charleston, SC. There was a classroom presentation followed by a "field" visit to the cistern for the participants to view. We met many folks from various occupations that were all interested in implementing rain water collection in some form or another. The cistern at SCDNR will provide drip irrigation to the native landscaping as well as overflow into a rain garden. It is a truly superb system and the best part is the fact that it requires no electricity to function.
Thanks to all that attended and hosted this great event. The cistern can be viewed and is on display. See map.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Testing Results -- Sealing Cisterns
Many people ask about cisterns being protected against mosquitoes etc and we always agree that mosquito proofing is an absolute must. However, protecting against larger visitors is equally important. Our most recent rainwater Harvesting research test was conducted started on May 7, 2009. We topped off a 300 gallon cistern with rainwater and left it uncovered. It has an 8 inch opening which is small for cisterns but we wanted to confirm our theory that sealing cisterns is absolutely critical. Left opened, it took only 1 day to get a squirrel into the cistern. These animals cannot resist the temptation of trying to lean in and get to the water. What follows is drowning and tainting of the entire harvested water supply. So, in conclusion, make sure to utilize only sealed and protected cisterns to ensure the safety of the water supply. All of the above ground cisterns that we use are double protected with a hard cover and a screened cover in the event the hard cover is left off. These little visitors can ruin our water supply.
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