Water Is Life

Click on link and enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/469435

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.

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.

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.

WSPA Channel 7 Coverage

Ok, for whatever reason the link didn't work so I will paste it here.

http://www.wspa.com/spa/lifestyles/go_green_save_green/

Let's try linking WSPA's Channel 7 story

Upcoming Show Locations

The next shows that Ascot Earth Systems will be at:

The 2009 Garden Jubilee Hendersonville, NC May 23-24 Historic Downtown Hendersonville

Avondale In Bloom 2009 Avondale, Ga. May 16-17 www.avondaleinbloom.org

Disaster Preparedness Interests--- High

We have had an overwhelming request for information on water issues stemming from the recent media coverage of the Swine Flu. The CDC just released that everyone should plan for 2 weeks of food and water...just in case. These events are leading folks to really stop and think how safe the water they depend on from municipalities really is. What if, is more of reality today than ever. Not just the fact that the water supplies are low and struggling to keep up but the fact that now what if the water that we do have becomes tainted. It would make one think that we are rapidly heading back to the way we once lived---depending on no one but ourselves for water and food. The people who are growing gardens in their back yards has tripled in the last two years. Talking with some folks today, I asked the question what if a supermarket employee comes down with the swine flu? Will they close the store shutting off the food supply at that location? Will they open back up and sell food? They are closing schools just to be safe? The what ifs are on everyone;s minds. WSPA Channel 7 in Spartanburg, South Carolina just completed a story on Rainwater Harvesting which features Ascot Earth Systems. The reporters, and one was a meteorologist , were blown away with the potential for creating your own water source. We will link up once the story is complete so everyone can see it. Happy Harvesting............

Delays

It has been a while since we have updated our blog. We apologize if you have been checking in. The last post had to do with the news media and we have passed that issue. We are, however, doing a press release on a cistern reinstatement that we just completed. As soon as it is published, I will post it here. It is amazing the amount of wells that are drying up (all of the sudden?) where people need an alternate water source yesterday. These people are realizing that rain is it and that in fact it DOES rain once you are collecting it! As a matter of fact, most folks are finding out that they cannot catch it all! Great Problems.

Welcome Dr. E

Dr. E:
Thank you for choosing to follow this blog. We can assure you that you will be able to depend on this blog for accurate, dependable and timely information from the field on various rainwater harvesting initiatives. Again, thank you and welcome.

Media Twist

Featured is a headline from a local TV station here--"Planning Urged Now For Non-Rainy Days To Come" You can find this article at wyff4.com which prohibits me publishing it here. This article follows a good spell of rain that we just received where many folks have a false sense that we are good again in terms of precipitation norms. I want to also include some 'deleted without reading' emails that show these same media outlets are refusing to hear the solution to the problem that they love to harp on--dry, terrible drought conditions etc. This was simply an attempt to ask for a story to show the same residents that they are scaring to death that there is actually a solution to off set this problem. After going back, the one below is the only one that I could find but there were many unanswered attempts sent back to me. Story submited in 2008.

1420 01/06/2009 WYFF, Feedback Not read: Rainwater Harvesting Project Story

Intangible Benefit

I want to go back and address an issue that has come up before. Control. In most traditional water sources, the municipality has full control over the water itself. Specifically, if there is a major break, your water goes off. If they (the municipality) decide to charge more, they can. Most people do not stop and think that they are in total reliance on someone else when they depend solely on a metered water source. If the tap comes on, it is great. If the tap fails to produce, the customer calls to find out why and how long it will be until service resumes. This is total reliance on someone else for the most important thing in life. Moreover, the idea of a decentralized water source throughout a region is becoming more of a topic than in the past mainly due to the fear of a terrorist attack on a centralized water supply. City water can be 'treated' at anytime thus smelling like bleach with no explanation? Safe to drink? Most likely yes, safe for someone to use on new seedlings? Most likely not but who knows when to use it when to boil it or just what is going on and why the smell all of the sudden? This is no control and the property owner should have control over their water source knowing ALL of the answers to quality of water, amount available, and that it is a free gift from the heavens above.