News from September 2005
The Marley rainwater harvesting system
02 September 2005
The simplest way to recycle stormwater...
Rainwater harvesting is the storage of rainwater run-off at source for re-use in non-potable applications such as garden irrigation, car washing, toilet flushing etc. With the increasing demand for drinking water as a result of high density housing and commercial development, rainwater harvesting is seen as a potential solution for overcoming water shortages. It is widely considered that this may well be the subject of future legislation.
The Marley rainwater harvesting system uniquely combines a soakaway facility with storage, thereby alleviating the problems of either water shortage or flooding. As the storage part of the system becomes full, any excess water entering the unit spills into the infiltration tank and diffuses into the surrounding soil.
The new Marley Waterloc stormwater storage cells form the structure of the tank. The cells are constructed from 12 columns of hollow honeycomb cell extrusion. Water fills each cell and flows between each of the 12 columns, enabling a rapid dispersion of the stormwater throughout the installation. The hexagonal nature of the extrusion gives it added strength. The grids at the top and base of Waterloc provide additional flow paths and a means to form a monolithic stable structure.
The versatility of this system means that any size and combination of storage or soakaway unit can be constructed, although Marley are offering 2 kits which are suitable for a single house application:
- A remote connection facility suitable for an outside tap.
- A domestic backup system, which can be used for non-potable appliances, as well as garden use.
The domestic backup system operates via a storage tank, generally installed in the roof space to provide a supplementary water supply. When stored rainwater is available, a control system activates a solenoid valve to change the storage tank feed from mains water to rainwater supply. Control units are supplied pre-wired, requiring only a final connection to be made to a 240V power supply. The system includes a water level indicator, low water level warning light and an automatic function check on the solenoid valve. A reminder facility to indicate a water filter check is required also forms part of the system.
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