This months blog offers solution to some of the possible problems people with rainwater harvesting systems may encounter. Some may appear obvious, but...

1) Toilet cisterns do not refill after flushing.

i. Possible power failure to pump. Check power supply is OK.
ii. Pressure switch failure. Reset pressure switch.

2) Pump keeps turning on/off without toilets being flushed.

i. Pressure drop in pipework. Check for signs of leakage.
ii. Toilet cistern valves are leaking. Repair/replace valves.

3) The system does not appear to be collecting water.

i. Hopper may be blocked. Unblock.
ii. Check filters for blockage. Unblock.
iii. Check float switch is not tangled. Untangle.

This list is by no means exhaustive, and there can be other issues not covered here. But as you can see, most problems are solved relatively easily, with a little thought. Finally, I thought I'd share this with you:

A TV advertising campaign in Brazil is encouraging people to urinate while having a shower to save water that would be used by flushing the toilet.

Photo by foxypar4

About the author: Barry Nutley is co-founder and director of Viridis Energie Consultants

About the author: Barry Nutley is co-founder and director of Viridis Energie Consultants

If you have a question about anything in the above blog, please ask it in the comments section below.