TomCat's new digs!

[mrs.dr.ron]

You drink the normal tap water, the same as everyone else. But we also have purple recycled water taps for certain purposes.
Its required now to have the recycled water, particularly in new developments.

These are the taps out front; the purple one has a special detachable handle so people cant accidentally drink it.

Phew !! thank goodness - two taps - I was going to say before I saw this, that recycled water was a cough idea

 

[rainbowgirl]

Phew !! thank goodness - two taps - I was going to say before I saw this, that recycled water was a cough idea

I knew the photos of the purple tap were going to come back. I asked about them earlier in the thread and thought they were a great idea.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just curious. It's the recycled water supply guaranteed? That is, should it usually be available, or might it sometimes run short ( from what you've heard)?

 

[Pushka]

You drink the normal tap water, the same as everyone else. But we also have purple recycled water taps for certain purposes.
Its required now to have the recycled water, particularly in new developments.

These are the taps out front; the purple one has a special detachable handle so people cant accidentally drink it.
View attachment 143959

Agree. Mawson Lakes in Adelaide is exactly the same. It was built maybe 15 years ago? Only kitchen tap water is potable. The rest is purple pipes and taps.

Just curious. It's the recycled water supply guaranteed? That is, should it usually be available, or might it sometimes run short ( from what you've heard)?

When Adelaide had its drought a few years ago, Mawson Lakes stayed a verdant green because they had no watering restrictions.

Do people not think about all the animal poop and bodies that end up in our reservoirs? And for SA - the River Murray that receives fertilizers and cow, sheep, roo and any other fish poop you can think of. We drink that.

 

[serfty]

Just curious. It's the recycled water supply guaranteed? That is, should it usually be available, or might it sometimes run short ( from what you've heard)?

I live near a place where much of this 'purple pipe' water is processed for reuse; it's really not that far from TomCat Manor. Every time someone in the south Eastern Metro region flushes their loo, further supply is created ...

... I guess it is just about guaranteed.

 

[Pushka]

I live near a place where much of this 'purple pipe' water is created; it's really not that far from TomCat Manor. Every time someone in the south Eastern Metro region flushes their loo, further supply is created ...

Again during that awful drought, I used to get so cross at sports events where lining up at the ladies you’d hear flush, flush, flush of scarce potable water. I’d love to have recycled water.

 

[JessicaTam]

70 minutes commuting each way? 12 hours a week!

 

[Pushka]

70 minutes commuting each way? 12 hours a week!

You can’t look at things like that or you’d never do anything.

 

[JessicaTam]

You can’t look at things like that or you’d never do anything.

But I can do plenty of things during the 11 hours I am not commuting.

 

[amaroo]

Look, we'd have loved to have stayed in our former suburb, but we dont have $1.5 million+ to drop on a small house with little to no yard space.
TV work anywhere in the state so its not so much an issue for him, and I've only got four months of commuting before I'm on leave for a year anyway.

FWIW it's amazing how things can change. Aged 22, I had no money and a return commute of nearly 3 1/2 hours a day (walk, train. bus, bummed lift), it was worse when it rained.

It just takes time....

 

[serfty]

But I can do plenty of things during the 11 hours I am not commuting.

I surf the internets .... I've even booked travel ...

 

[Pushka]

But I can do plenty of things during the 11 hours I am not commuting.

Me too. Like reading. As can BC.

 

[Denali]

As shocking as it is, I think 1hr average is quite common for a lot of people, especially in Sydney where even a 15klm commute can take an hour sometimes.

 

[blackcat20]

A commute like that is pretty average for a lot of the population. Like I said upthread, not a lot of people can drop 1 million plus on a house just to be closer to work. And who says I'll be working here forever?

I actually love where we live; its quiet, the air has that country fresh smell to it. the dogs have more outdoor space than they've ever had. We're surrounded by young couples and families which is a great place to raise our own kid. And we own a house that can't be yanked out from under us.

 

[blackcat20]

70 minutes commuting each way? 12 hours a week!

Its not always 70 minutes, its 45 at its best. 60 to get home yesterday. Plus thats 2 hours a day to sing along to the radio without judgement

 

[Denali]

Co worker listens to podcasts, yesterday was Mia Freeman about saving/spending/pocket money for kids. Shes feeling quite energized about instigating the 3 jar theory for her kids (save, spend, donate).

 

[yld200]

Interesting re the recycled water. I've build 2 places in the last 5 years and have always required either solar hot water or a water tank to achieve 5 star energy rating. I've done one with each and the rain water tank had to be connected to the toilets. Some councils now have a water sensitivity urban design (WSUD) plan which is about reducing the load on the storm water system. You must demonstrate that you're able to capture a percentage of the rain that falls onto your roof in your water tank and also have a landscaping design that absorbs water rather than having concrete everywhere.

 

[blackcat20]

Interesting re the recycled water. I've build 2 places in the last 5 years and have always required either solar hot water or a water tank to achieve 5 star energy rating. I've done one with each and the rain water tank had to be connected to the toilets. Some councils now have a water sensitivity urban design (WSUD) plan which is about reducing the load on the storm water system. You must demonstrate that you're able to capture a percentage of the rain that falls onto your roof in your water tank and also have a landscaping design that absorbs water rather than having concrete everywhere.

We also have solar hot water.

 

[suze2000]

My commute is usually just over an hour door to door. Need to allow at least 5 mins to drive up the carpark as well if starting at 9am. A 6:30 start used to be less than half an hour, now just over. I would prefer to do it on public transport, but it takes a bit of a toll on my body, so I generally drive. Plus, it's an extra 20mins using the tram. Before we moved house, we lived close to a train station and it was far faster to use the train than drive.

 

[JessicaTam]

Interesting re the recycled water. I've build 2 places in the last 5 years and have always required either solar hot water or a water tank to achieve 5 star energy rating. I've done one with each and the rain water tank had to be connected to the toilets. Some councils now have a water sensitivity urban design (WSUD) plan which is about reducing the load on the storm water system. You must demonstrate that you're able to capture a percentage of the rain that falls onto your roof in your water tank and also have a landscaping design that absorbs water rather than having concrete everywhere.

I have bought a house that is 20-25 years old so I am well behind in the energy star stakes. The next twelve months will see solar panels, solar hot water, double glazing/low e-glass and getting the walls insulated. I would hope to get to 7 or 8 stars. The design and location of the house will make anything higher than that unlikely.

Has anyone any experience retrofitting wall insulation to a brick veneer house? I have seen that rockwool can potentially be pumped in.