With the prospect of climate change, which we are all witnessing, pro-ecological behavior is becoming increasingly popular. After years of neglect and a wasteful economy, raw material resources have greatly shrunk. We are forced to conserve almost all raw materials. The exception to this is not water. In Poland, the water system is really poor. In addition, practically everywhere on the globe, rainwater is no longer drinkable. This applies even to places far removed from human activity. Exhaust gases, which are emitted into the atmosphere by industry and transportation, travel with the wind. The toxic cloud also travels to areas completely devoid of industry. As a result, it falls to the ground in the form of acid rain. Over the years, cities, especially the more populous ones, have been gradually concretized. The resulting so-called urban heat islands are characterized by higher temperatures and local flooding when rainfall occurs.

The European Union is famous for making laws stricter in the direction of ecology. Every year, for example, one hears about restrictive emission standards. All aspects of human activity are regulated. Many regulations are logical and right, while others should be described as questionable to say the least. However, one of the ways recommended, including by the EU, to minimize the effects of drought is small-scale retention. It involves catching rainwater in vessels such as reservoirs and reusing it, for example, for irrigation. This approach provides a simple way to increase water retention. The use of rainwater, for the rest, is known and has been practiced in Poland for many years. So it can be said that this is a proven and rational way to solve the problem of water shortages. In addition, concrete surfaces are increasingly being replaced by permeable ones in cities. During the summer, we can observe a change in the policy of authorities to cut lawns. Taller grass absorbs rainwater much more efficiently. Such natural squares in cities are a return to their original function in the environment.

Rainwater retention systems have been popular in the West for the past decade or so. Rainwater is collected in special polyethylene containers and then used for watering green areas, gardening, laundry or washing the car. Recently, this form of ecology is also common in Poland. People in our country are investing in rainwater management systems. The trend of small-scale retention is also showered with money in subsidies, which makes investing in rainwater use all the more appealing. Poland has a priority program called Moja Woda (My Water), under which one can receive up to PLN 5,000 for the purchase and installation of rainwater systems. In addition, local governments organize their own subsidies for residents, which can be an alternative to the nationwide program, as they are often equally beneficial. Money incentive systems are supplemented by additional fees for owners of properties with too much concreted surface (rain tax).

Collecting rainwater has been known for many years. In fact, already our ancestors used it for washing, cleaning and even consumed it. Rainwater has a low pH, which makes it so-called soft water. As a result, during washing and cleaning, no scale is formed, which we are familiar with because we use tap water. Rainwater is water that is safe for hydraulic devices. Using it is even desirable for a washing machine or dishwasher. It reduces the costs associated with taking tap water and using special softeners. Rainwater can successfully feed domestic cisterns and reservoirs. In addition, it is obvious that rainwater will be great for watering the garden and other garden work.
 

Unfortunately, today's rainwater is heavily polluted and its direct consumption would be associated with adverse health effects. This is because it contains many heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which are still formed in the atmosphere by the contact of steam and compounds emitted from industrial processes and transportation.

In the past, rainwater was caught in various vessels and buckets for later use. The modern approach in general has not changed. However, the process has been modernized. Modern rainwater management systems are based on underground or aboveground polyethylene rainwater tanks and equipment that is used to filter and distribute the water. Rainwater is collected into the tank through a system of gutters from the roof or from driveways and other flat surfaces. It is then filtered in several stages. Water can then be drawn from the tank using simple taps and valves or more advanced pump and water intake systems. Automatic irrigation systems can be connected to such systems, or it can be implemented manually. In addition, rainwater can be used to power consumers in the house, i.e. cistern, washing machine, etc. Advanced rainwater sets are systems for the use of rainwater in the house and garden, which are equipped with a polyethylene underground tank, filtration, floating water intake, rainwater control panel and connection elements. The control panel is designed to pump rainwater from the tank and deliver it to the indoor system. The rainwater control panel combines three devices: a pump, a control and a tap water replenishment system.

Gray water systems are also available on the market. The term "gray water" should be understood as water after washing vegetables, laundry, hand washing, etc. (free of fecal matter). Gray water management devices allow the use of rainwater and the aforementioned gray water to supply consumers in the house. We will describe the construction and working principle of the system using the Gray Rain Outdoor product as an example. The system consists of two vertical underground tanks. In the first tank, gray water is treated using a Purain filter and an Aqualoop membrane station. An active floating deposit is used to increase the efficiency of aerobic bacteria for efficient decomposition of organic matter. The second tank stores rainwater and treated water. An automatic pump is installed in the tank to distribute the water to the building, as well as a filling set to ensure a constant supply of water. The purified water can be used to supply utensils such as toilets, washing machines or even garden sprinklers.

The important thing is that it requires a separate water system so that drinking water is not contaminated. Development of rainwater and gray water in the house and garden is economically and ecologically justified. It reduces the cost of running water and sewage collection. It also carries obvious environmental benefits.

As already mentioned, climate change, which is observed all over the globe, is gradually proceeding. One process that has been accelerated by humans is the global warming effect. Human activity results in significant emissions of toxic and warming gases into the atmosphere. The gases cause an effect identical to the microclimate in a greenhouse. The thermal energy of the sun's rays is trapped near the Earth's surface. As a result, we are seeing an escalating drought problem. In addition to this, irrational planning of urban development (concreting) has influenced the formation of a specific urban microclimate called "urban heat island". The prevalence of impermeable surfaces also means limited retention of rainwater into the ground. We have begun to see local flooding due to overloaded sewers. As a result, residents' quality of life is declining year after year. High temperatures, acid rain and local flooding are common across the globe.

Continuous environmental pollution has made rainwater in every corner of the planet no longer drinkable. As a result, drinking water supplies are shrinking year by year. In the context of these phenomena, the search for a solution to the water shortage began. Technology has come to the rescue. Devices that purify and treat rainwater are now available on the market. One of them is the GreenLife UV 2000.The process of water purification and treatment is based on several stages. Rainwater is fed into a tank, where it is pre-treated. Then further purification takes place using a vacuum pump with a floating water intake. The floating intake floats a few centimeters below the surface of the water. This arrangement draws the liquid from the area in the tank where it is clearest. Heavy impurities (sediment) sink to the bottom. The others - light ones float on the surface. Therefore, the cleanest water is from an area a few centimeters below the surface. It then flows through two filters of decreasing gradation. Later, the water is directed to a carbon filter, which annihilates most of the impurities and ensures the high sensory qualities of the water. Finally, it is disinfected by UV light. Thus filtered water is fully ready for consumption, and its parameters comply with all WHO standards. Compliance with the standards guarantees that it is safe for human health and life. The UV 2000 requires cleaning only every 5 years. The device is almost maintenance-free and works very efficiently. You can find the UV 2000 system for rainwater treatment on the website of our store. We invite you to read its description and parameters.