A house that produces its own water and energy

[Aussiew6]

I think I would probably fight them these days but back then I was a single, working Mum with 5 of my 6 still at home.... There was also a move to ban rainwater tanks???? Yep if we had those we might STEAL the districts water and prevent it getting into the ground!!!!!! Thankfully we are at least allowed to have tanks now but I really want that guttering system :-)

[Aussiew6]

I had a perfectly good septic system which provided water for my garden through the rhelm drains and in came the council and demanded that I pay $10,000 and connect to the sewerage...at the time I had no option....they also insisted that the tank be smashed and filled with dirt before they would 'pass' my house.....the power and stupidity of bureaucrats...this was about 10 yrs ago....

[astrialkil]

@Aussiew6 They just wanted to control you.

[tdayuk]

Perfect start!! Just what I've been looking for :) Very impressed with the water catching & gutter.

[Jakyle1]

Modern day cistern. Unbelievable...

[bustosalvaro]

Congratulations on the hole conception. It's genius! I wonder how do you avoid your water from getting bad?

Blessings

[waellerbe]

This is a fine example of the kind of material I like to find on YouTube. In time I will share this video on Google+ in order to start some conversations on this subject.

[bfinfinity]

This is the kind of thing I am interested in. I wonder, as much as I have looked at videos here, WHY I did not find your sooner??? Glad I did now! If more people would do this the earth would not be in the mess it's in. But everyone wants to waste today and clean up later! I would like to learn more about where you got things like the dirty water exit on the pipe and the gutters, I have never seen any like that, who makes them? I reserve the right to ask more questions later. THANK YOU!

[kirstendirksen]

@bfinfinity It's called a Smartflo guttering installer. You can find more info on Michael's blog here: sustainablehouse . com . au/2011/07/smartflo-guttering-­installer-for-sydney/

[zurdoflippah]

This is what the politicians should be promoting, instead all our tax dollars are going to subsidize the oil industry.

[floatinsun]

@zurdoflippah politician will only promote use of cars with oil, and not solar or electric.... after all where does the exon mobile profit goes ?

[NoNonesenseRick]

@Moviechaser He needs aquaponics! it would work great!

[margot980]

Wonder if you could manage to capture the methane off the sewage to run that nice gas stove in the kitchen. They do it in China, millions and millions of rural homes.

[truppledotcom]

VERY IMPRESSED!!

[1978smartass]

Truly amazing. If only the masses lived a little more like you, what a difference it would make! Great!

[quintacabecadomato]

inspirational! 

[138shootingstar]

Very impressed with what you've done with yr house! Wld you be kind enough to share details of yr sewage treatment system? Thank you.

[kirstendirksen]

@138shootingstar The company Michael used for his sewage treatment system went out of business. But the system is basically a mix of compost beds and filters. At the beginning, worms do the major digesting of kitchen and waste solids. Then the water exits from the bottom of the compost beds where it goes through some filters before it can be pumped back into the house to flush toilets, wash clothes and water the garden.

[markmo11]

Great house...and use of space. Good to see people being eco-efficient! Now, if only we can convince everyone to do it.