86bibo
2018-02-07 14:00:29
- #1
This is now a widespread problem for municipalities (with cities it is still somewhat manageable). The networks are overloaded, or one wants to develop new building areas as cheaply as possible. A soakaway is then mandated. Usually with a reduction. That means the water is slowly drained into the soakaway. For the builder, this means:
- Cistern
- Reduction area in the cistern (usually 30%)
- Soakaway pit
Often, 6000-10000l cisterns are installed here (30% are not usable) and a large soakaway pit as well. Using the working space of the cistern as a soakaway is also prohibited by most municipalities.
The problem with this is that, although soil surveys are done beforehand, whether an entire building area can tolerate such drainage is another matter.
On the other hand, I basically find a cistern very positive and would always install one when building new. You always need water in the garden, as well as for the car and other activities (but I am not a fan of washing machines and toilets). We even retrofitted one last year (existing property). Although it is a plastic cistern, the proper ones are now also very durable. Unfortunately much more expensive than concrete. Last year in May and June, I used over 18m³ just in the garden. After that, unfortunately, there was nothing left to water. In a "normal" summer, that is 30-40m³. You really consider whether to water for 5 more minutes or not. In addition, our fresh and wastewater fees were just increased by 20% from 2017 to 2018. It doesn’t matter at what interest rate I finance it. From an environmental perspective, I think it achieves significantly more than most solar thermal, photovoltaic,... systems. With 40m³ garden irrigation, I don’t need to think about showering 2 minutes longer under a normal or rain shower.
I admit, with 1100m² of land, we also have a bit more space than average. Fortunately, a small stream runs behind our property. Our garage and cistern overflow are drained there. This saves me costs for sealed surfaces and gives me the option to fill my cistern in an emergency.
- Cistern
- Reduction area in the cistern (usually 30%)
- Soakaway pit
Often, 6000-10000l cisterns are installed here (30% are not usable) and a large soakaway pit as well. Using the working space of the cistern as a soakaway is also prohibited by most municipalities.
The problem with this is that, although soil surveys are done beforehand, whether an entire building area can tolerate such drainage is another matter.
On the other hand, I basically find a cistern very positive and would always install one when building new. You always need water in the garden, as well as for the car and other activities (but I am not a fan of washing machines and toilets). We even retrofitted one last year (existing property). Although it is a plastic cistern, the proper ones are now also very durable. Unfortunately much more expensive than concrete. Last year in May and June, I used over 18m³ just in the garden. After that, unfortunately, there was nothing left to water. In a "normal" summer, that is 30-40m³. You really consider whether to water for 5 more minutes or not. In addition, our fresh and wastewater fees were just increased by 20% from 2017 to 2018. It doesn’t matter at what interest rate I finance it. From an environmental perspective, I think it achieves significantly more than most solar thermal, photovoltaic,... systems. With 40m³ garden irrigation, I don’t need to think about showering 2 minutes longer under a normal or rain shower.
I admit, with 1100m² of land, we also have a bit more space than average. Fortunately, a small stream runs behind our property. Our garage and cistern overflow are drained there. This saves me costs for sealed surfaces and gives me the option to fill my cistern in an emergency.