Using underground water
A reader has sent me this question: ‘Dear Michael I may have a spring (h2o) or some form of h2o course running through my front yard under the middle of my house & than exiting from the northern corner of the rear of the house. This has been confirmed by a builder who has taken the ‘levels’ to level the house where the house has ‘sank’ in these areas. The house is a 1950′s weatherboard constructed on piers whereby due to the land sloping... Read More
A magic puddin’ pump
Glockeman pump in creek On Thursday I went to Melbourne and got a gift. I saw the most wonderful, inspiring, “I can’t believe that’ pump. (Yes, I know, I love water and sometimes my passion gets the better of me, but wait.) This pump uses no electricity. It was pumping water up over 60 metres. It pumps day and night. During the day one household on one side of the creek gets the water. During the night the household on the other side of the creek gets the... Read More
Smartflo guttering installer for Sydney
Here is an installer to consider for your Smartflo roof gutters that I use as they are self cleaning: Wayne Miller does the majority of the Smartflo supply and fit work in the Sydney area. He lives at West Pennant Hills but travels well to all Sydney locations. He has been working regularly with Smartflo since 2005. You can contact Wayne on 0414 782 513, or e-mail : buildingonyourideas@gmail.com For information on the gutters: http://www.smartflo.com.au/SF_News.htm May the... Read More
Dystopian but terrific writing
One of the people I read each week is James Kunstler. Firstly, because of the writing, and secondly, because his ideas and ‘take’ on things is so interesting. Dystopean, yes. Boring, no. His books have a more measured and very well researched richness to them. There’s a link on his blog (www.kunstler.com) to a recent article in Orion Magazine, Back to the Future A road map for tomorrow’s cities and you can read it, here: http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/6336 And... Read More
Does my sewage system produce methane?
This question was put to me: ‘Mike, On recent tour of your house with Ryde TAFE college, you told me the septic tank did not give off methane because of the anarobic bacteria. You asked me to ask the question on your blogg. Being an old fart, I do not know how to use these wiz bang electronic garbbage, so in search of knowledge, I am contacting you directly. My knowledge on septic tanks is limited to the anarobic bacteria break down the liquids; while airobic bacteria... Read More
Trees in the middle of the road
Richards Ave, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW Free air con, walk away -Trees in the road One of Earth’s finest arborists, John Lennon, advised us well with his rhetorical question, “Why don’t we do it in the road?” Trees in the middle of the road provide free air conditioning. Which road would you rather walk in, live in and pay the electricity bills in – a road like Richards Ave, Surry Hills, or the thousands of other roads in our cities which have little... Read More
Sustainable and unsustainable streets
A flooded street For some reading about recent thinking about how our climate is changing, this is a useful article: http://www.economist.com/node/17572735 The photo above is from that article. It shows an unsustainable street, and it seems how we live here in Chippo, and Australia generally, is partly the reason there are streets like those. Hopefully, the work being done to trial sustainable streets in Chippendale will reduce the number of unsustainable streets elsewhere. Read More
Biolytix into liquidation
I’ve received an email from a contact in the wastewater industry with this advisory note from WA Health about Biolytix going into liquidation: ‘ Approval for Biolytix aerobic treatment units withdrawn by Department of Health, Western Australia As of 19 January 2011, Queensland-based company Biolytix Water Australia Pty Ltd has gone into liquidation. In Western Australia, the ‘Biolytix BF-6 Aerated’ model was an aerobic treatment unit (ATU) approved... Read More
Floods, droughts and coal
For a discussion about the links, consequences and finance relating to coal, droughts and floods you may wish to have a look at my article in The Fifth Estate, here: http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/archives/19455 Time to turn off the coal, methinks, Michael Read More
Chippo to be a trial demonstration suburb
On Monday night Sydney City Council resolved: RECOMMENDATION It is resolved that: (A) Myrtle Street and the surrounding areas, Chippendale, be used by the City as a demonstration site to showcase sustainable street technologies and programs; (B) a detailed plan for the site be developed over the next six months, for funding consideration in the 2011/12 budget; (C) the Chief Executive Officer negotiate an agreement with Mr Michael Mobbs under which he will provide technical advice,... Read More
