The motivation to spend extra money for environmental reasons only is often not there, even for so-called environmentalists. Why would a new family whose budget is very tight choose to spend money on a system to reduce their mains water consumption, if the mains water was available for free anyway? This question however is more relevant if short term economics prevail...

It’s inevitable that mains water will be eventually charged to domestic consumers in Ireland. Let’s assume that the charges will be high enough to justify installing a rain water harvesting system over a period of 25 years. The following measures would help to lower and to justify the cost for the fully installed rainwater harvesting system: A simpler system of using...

If economics were to be the predominant or deciding factor then no one would invest in their own domestic water rainwater system. This is especially so while the mains water supply was so freely available and without cost. So it’s safe to say that it will never be economically worthwhile to spend money on your own rainwater system if the...

There have been occasions for some years now when there have been water shortages or threats of water shortages in Ireland, particularly in the Dublin area. Occasionally the water supply has been turned of for periods of the day to conserve the supply. In some parts of the country we have also had boil notices because the water is not...