Watering of Ovals - Why not more recycled water

erm, I meant “somewhere” and “cousin”.
I should really start proof reading before I press the Post button.

johnboy said :

I know in Shoalhaven where they use grey water on the ovals that the grass is offlimits for 2 hours after watering to give natural UV a chance to work.

Makes sense.

I can only imagine monomania flipping out right now – somehwere is using grey water: the evil cousing of rainwater

I know in Shoalhaven where they use grey water on the ovals that the grass is offlimits for 2 hours after watering to give natural UV a chance to work.

monomania said :

PsydFX, janitors are not microbiologists or technicians. And like all jobs, people have varying levels of competence. I for one am glad that our water supply is maintained and tested by trained professionals, no disrespect intended to school janitors.

Contaminated harvested rainwater (from poorly maintained school roofs, gutters and tanks) has the potential to make kids sick even if they don’t drink it, when sprayed around ovals and playgrounds. The same goes for tanks full of recycled water. School kids should not be guinea pigs for what is a fad. What level of risk is acceptable?

How does it have the potential to make kids sick? Is this coming from any kind of research or is this just your opinion.

As for this poorly maintained roof argument, I’m not sure if you have heard of first flush diverters or not, but they are designed to catch the particulates that accumulate on roofs and in gutters in between rainfalls, this would prevent the majority of the contaminants making it into the tank. For the contaminates that do make it into the tank, low level chlorination would be sufficient to ensure that harmful pathogens are killed – and this process can be automated.

Now at this stage, I’m sure you’ll probably want to consult google, and will probably come back with the argument that chlorination does not effectively eliminate Cryptosporidium and Giardia – which is true, however, the likelihood of these protozoans occurring in harvested tank water in sufficient enough numbers to pose a risk is low – especially considering the water would not be used for drinking.

And just an interesting side note for you, Googong Water Treatment Plant, which services Queanbeyan and Canberra during the hotter months does not UV Treat it’s water. UV Treatment is the only effective way of eliminating the above mentioned protozoans.

captainwhorebags said :

I still don’t get this “turd water” nonsense.

The treated water that comes out of Lower Molonglo sewerage works is cleaner than the stuff thats in the river. I’ve got no problems whatsoever drinking recycled water.

All water is recycled. It’s only the method that differs.

The trouble is that this recycled water comes at a price. Up to $300 million to build the plant supplying 9GL of water. Relatively rapid depreciation compared to a dam. High running costs. Consumes a lot of power. Water 2+ times as expensive. Health risk and uck factor.

PsydFX, janitors are not microbiologists or technicians. And like all jobs, people have varying levels of competence. I for one am glad that our water supply is maintained and tested by trained professionals, no disrespect intended to school janitors.

Contaminated harvested rainwater (from poorly maintained school roofs, gutters and tanks) has the potential to make kids sick even if they don’t drink it, when sprayed around ovals and playgrounds. The same goes for tanks full of recycled water. School kids should not be guinea pigs for what is a fad. What level of risk is acceptable?

I still don’t get this “turd water” nonsense.

The treated water that comes out of Lower Molonglo sewerage works is cleaner than the stuff thats in the river. I’ve got no problems whatsoever drinking recycled water.

All water is recycled. It’s only the method that differs.

I can’t believe they’ve been doing it since 1972, and the best they can manage is 70 hectares in 7 sites.

This is either the worst managed project in ACTEW’s chequered history, or it’s just not possible. 36 years! Perhaps they should just give up ….

I don’t understand why a janitor would have to maintain roofing and guttering any more than they do now?

It still seems like you’re stereotyping Janitors, I mean it’s not like they couldn’t be taught to regularly put a small sample of water into a tube, add test agents, and comprehend the results, and in all seriousness, I think, bar acts of deliberate vandalism, the risk of concerning contamination is fairly slim.

PsydFX said :

monomania said :

I wouldn’t want to send my kids to a school whose playground was watered by water from a facility that the janitor was responsible for.

Is this because your are an elitist who doesn’t value the hard work of a janitor.

What’s there even for a janitor to manage? The small amount chlorine they need to include to keep bugs out!

monomania said :

Let the treated sewerage and storm water back into the river to be further cleaned by nature and use potable water instead.

I find it funny that you don’t want your kids on an oval where the water is controlled by a janitor, but you are more than happy to let them drink turd water.

You misunderstood what I was talking about PsydFX. I want the playground watered by treated potable water. Turd water is one of those expensive methods I don’t support. What I don’t like the idea of is tanks, particularly underground, either supplied from school roofs or recycled water trucked in at a price far beyond what Actew can supply using reticulated potable water. The recycled water comes from the sewerage works. It is turd water. Keeping water safe is more complicated than throwing in a bit of chlorine. School janitors are not trained to treat water or to test it regularly to make it remains safe. Nor do they have the time to adequately maintain the roofs and gutters of school buildings which believe me can readily become contaminated. I have got on with all the janitors I have been associated with over 25 years and liked and respected most.

monomania said :

I wouldn’t want to send my kids to a school whose playground was watered by water from a facility that the janitor was responsible for.

Is this because your are an elitist who doesn’t value the hard work of a janitor.

What’s there even for a janitor to manage? The small amount chlorine they need to include to keep bugs out!

monomania said :

Let the treated sewerage and storm water back into the river to be further cleaned by nature and use potable water instead.

I find it funny that you don’t want your kids on an oval where the water is controlled by a janitor, but you are more than happy to let them drink turd water.