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Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is an ancient and effective water conservation practice. Unfortunately, in modern times “rainwater harvesting” has often become associated with a mosquito-laden barrel in the backyard, lined with last year’s leaves and a resident frog or two.

The potential of rainwater harvesting systems is so much more. With proper design, these systems can transform a waste product (stormwater) into a valuable resource. Bringing rainwater harvesting into the commercial and residential mainstream will require increasing awareness of possible uses of rainwater.

Improved regulatory guidance and a greater understanding of all the potential environmental benefits of using harvested rainwater for water closets and urinals will be only part of the story at the Wellmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield headquarters now under construction in Des Moines, Iowa. Cisterns at this site will collect rainwater and conden­sate from the HVAC system to supply toilets and urinals and to be used for irrigation. During warmer months, when the demand for irrigation is highest, the water supply from the HVAC system condensate will also be highest. The cisterns are integrated into the site stormwater management plan, which offsets a portion of the initial cost of rainwater harvest­ing. This project is a prime example of the benefits of collab­orative design.

Imagine the potential waste if the plumbing stormwater management. Rainwater harvesting systems are also a perfect opportunity for coordination of services and design among the civil engineer, the plumbing engineer and the mechanical engineer (the butcher, the baker and the can­dlestick maker).

Harvested rainwater is often thought of only as an irriga­tion supply, but it can also be used indoors to meet non-potable water demands (and is approved in some localities for potable use). According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, restrooms, landscape and cooling and heating account for 87% of the water used in schools and 89% of the water used in office buildings (domestic use is included with restrooms in the reported figures for office buildings). Even if half of the restroom/domestic use requires potable water (handwashing, etc), the majority of water use at schools and office buildings is non-potable. The EPA’s guidance docu­ment, “Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure: Municipal Handbook: Rainwater Harvesting Policies,” iden­tifies non-potable indoor water uses as toilets, urinals, laun­dry and cooling towers.

In an article entitled, “President’s Viewpoint -the Need for Green Schools” in NET day, National Education Association president Dennis Van Roekel stated, “Green schools are also a great teaching tool. If we want children to learn that human beings have a responsibility to be good stew­ards of natural resources, we have to teach them by example.”

At Burton School in Grand Rapids, Mich., rainwater from 11,000 square feet of roof is filtered and directed to a 10,000­ gallon below-ground storage tank, then used to flush 12 water closets. A water meter in the corridor lets students see how much water the system has saved. Based on daily rainfall data from Grand Rapids, if the school was used year round, this system could supply approximately 150,000 gallons of water per year.
Paula Leatherman, CPD from ProgressiveAE, who designed the rainwater harvesting system at Burton School, describes the process, saying, “Grand Rapids Public Schools
has made a commitment to sustainability for its facilities, and their last several projects have earned LEED® certification. During the Burton Elementary School project planning stage, administrators and designers discussed the different elements that would be appropriate for LEED points for this project. One way to acquire additional points for LEED is to use a non-potable water source to satisfy the building water needs. The concept of a rainwater harvesting system was researched. The district’s director of facilities expressed a deep interest in an educational approach to the aspect of rainwater harvesting, and so the groundwork was set for the system.

“Not only does the system help recognize a 52% total building water savings (according to LEED templates) but it also provides an educational tool that involves the students in the importance of preserving our natural resources. The design integrated a visual metering system located in a corri­dor display case where the kids are able to track the water sav­ings. This was one of the first rainwater harvesting systems in the city of Grand Rapids, and the first to utilize the system as an educational tool. Reusing rainwater for building needs is a viable direction in the construction industry, and we are exploring opportunities to implement similar systems in a variety of building types.”

At Western Virginia Regional Jail in Salem, Va., which opened on March 9, 2009, a look at the whole site led to inno­vative design and increased energy efficiency. Water demands inside the facility outweigh the available rainwater supply, so harvested rainwater is used only for laundry. Because the laun­dry use is localized in one section of the building, the pumping and piping demands are decreased. However, the real energy savings occur with pre-heating of the rainwater for laundry. Water used to cool the pumps from the vacuum-assisted waste system enters a heat exchanger and pre-heats rainwater before it is pumped to the laundry. This 264,000-square-foot facility will be the first LEED-certified jail in the region.

Rainwater harvesting is often used just to earn LEED points through irrigation but can be a part of stormwater management and innovative design, in addition to water efficiency.
The potential impact of rainwater harvesting is staggering. According to the U.S. Census, the United States had almost 12 million more housing units in 2007 than in 2000. Assuming an average footprint of 1,500 square feet for each of these housing units and an average of 30 inches per year of precipitation, if all of these new housing units had rainwater harvesting systems, they could collect about 234 billion gal­lons of water per year, more than enough water to supply the entire city of Los Angeles. These rainwater harvesting sys­tems would also mean that there would be 234 billion gallons less of runoff into lakes, rivers and streams or into stormwater treatment facilities. Based on information from the Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center, 234 billion gallons of residential runoff will carry about 390 tons of phosphorus, 2,150 tons of nitrogen and 97,770 tons of sediment. While these nutrients and sediment are crucial for plant growth on land, they can wreak havoc in lakes and estuaries, causing algal blooms and fish kills.

The environmental benefits of rainwater harvesting even extend to energy use. According to the EPA, approximately 3% of energy use in the U.S. goes to drinking water and wastewater treatment. By using non-potable water, which requires less treatment, for non-potable uses and by greatly decreasing the distance that water is transported, rainwater harvesting provides an energy-efficient alternative to tradi­tional water systems. Rainwater harvesting even reduces strain on an aging water supply infrastructure.

These calculations are only for new residential devel­opment. Imagine how much greater the impact could be if commercial development was included. While rainwater harvesting is an old technology, the opportunities for inno­vation are by no means exhausted. Starting with a basic, established, system design to preserve the quality of the rainwater, the possibilities of producing a green solution are vast. Rainwater harvesting should continue advancing far beyond the leaf-filled barrel to becoming an integral part of whole-site water management.

Rain Harvesting Equipment can be purchased at RainTankDepot.com

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Can Landscape curbing height be adjusted or is it fixed?

Can concrete Curbing used for Landscapes be increased in height or is it a fixed height for all the installers?

You can have a concrete curb installed at pretty much any height you want, if you want it higher – they can add rebar reinfocing to it when the concrete is poured, the higher you go the thicker the concrete will have to be poured just to keep its structural integrity. If ya want it shorter then average then its not a problem, just try not to use-at least 2″ of concrete should be used cause if its to thin it will crack easier over time.

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Motorized Wheelbarrow Landscape Tool Concrete Curbing $599.00

NEW CONCRETE LANDSCAPE CURBING EDGING MACHINE PACKAGE $9,999.00

NEW CONCRETE LANDSCAPE CURBING EDGING MACHINE PACKAGE $8,999.00

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5 Careers That Stay Strong in a Recession

I believe that here in US we are in one of the worst economic times since the great Depression. Let’s face it the previous recessions were not caused by so many factors as this one is. We have the real estate market crises , the credit crisis, manufacturing industry sends more and more jobs overseas, unemployment rates are pretty high and on top of all this the gas price keeps on going up affecting almost every sector of our economy.

Not a very optimistic landscape.  The biggest problem that we are facing is the lack of jobs. Years ago after you got a job you felt pretty secure for a while knowing that you’ll have an income. Nowadays we see a lot of companies contracting people only for short periods of time, cutting into the benefits packages or paid holidays.

What should you do in this situation? Are you laid off and looking for a career. You just finished high school and not sure what college or career you should follow? Here are 5 careers in which you are more likely to keep your job in though times where massive layoffs take place.

1)      Nurse salary $55,000

As long as people get sick there will be a need for somebody to help them get healthy. Not only that this occupation is anticipated to be in big demand over the next 10 years but for the right people it can bring a lot of personal satisfaction in the process of saving lives or preventing illnesses.   

2) Police Officer salary $49,000

In recession times people become more desperate. Crime doesn’t stop in a recession actually it increases as unemployment rates rise. Layoffs in this industry are rare. When police officers lose their jobs because of budget cuts, it usually doesn’t take them too long to find a job in the neighboring cities because the demand for this kind of jobs is so high.

3) Teacher Salary $51,000

Education is one thing that people will look to achieve regardless if we are in a booming economy or in a downturn. The teachers can create a better future for our kids. In the uncommon case that a teacher is laid off, he can easily offer tutoring session until he finds a full time job again.

4) Environmental Engineer salary $55,000

Nowadays more then ever before we hear about the global worming, protecting the planet or “going green”. The demand for environmental careers like hydrologists, environmental chemists or ecologists is expected to increase over 25 % in the next 10 years. If you enjoy protecting the nature this career option is the perfect fit for you.

5)Government Jobs

Firings and lay-offs in the federal government jobs happens at just ¼ the rate in private sector which makes the government jobs some of the most stable. Even in hard economic times the government system must go on.

I know that by giving you these 5 recession proof careers I just scratch the surface trying to advise you as far as what career to choose. This might one of the most important decision that you may take so don’t rush , take your time in analyzing future career trends, how many opening a certain career has in your area and last but not least how much will you be making per year.

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Ibm Rational Functional Tester

IBM Rational Functional Tester

Rational® Functional Tester is an automated, functional testing and regression testing tool.
Provides testers with automated testing capabilities for functional testing, regression testing, GUI testing and data-driven testing.

* Provides testers with automated capabilities for data-driven and keyword testing
* Offers testers a choice of scripting language and industrial-strength editor: Java in Eclipse® or Microsoft® Visual Basic .NET® in Visual Studio .NET – for test authoring and customization
* Supports custom controls through proxy SDK (Java/.Net)
* Provides definition and creation of automated keywords that can be leveraged by both manual and automated functional tests
* Includes ScriptAssure™ technology and pattern-matching capabilities to improve test script resiliency for frequent application user interface changes
* Supports version control to enable parallel development of test scripts and concurrent usage by geographically distributed teams
* Provides automated testing, functional testing, and regression testing of Web-based. .Net, Java, 3270 (zSeries™) and 5250 (iSeries™), Siebel, and SAP ®applications

Operating systems supported: Linux

QACampus evolved from the need of a center, which caters to all needs of students interested in software testing as well as working professionals related to software testing.

Our founders – some of the brightest minds from the industry recognized that the rapidly changing technology landscape would require people to learn new skills or continuously enhance their skills in software testing to sustain and grow faster in the industry.

QACampus is committed to its role in helping individuals or corporate in areas of software testing through its innovative programmes and outstanding faculty.

All the courses in QACampus have been constituted towards the needs of industry. While we will continue to emphasize academics, we are also aware that our customer; the individual student; will demand competencies that enhance employment and livelihood opportunities. Clearly the perspective will be to continuously demonstrate the academic as well as the cost benefit outcomes of the course options.

Our Vision

Software testing is one of the fastest growing areas in IT in India as well as across the globe. Our vision is to create a campus where anyone is able to learn various aspects of software testing to find a foothold in IT industry or to enhance their career.

http://www.qacampus.com
http://www.crestech.in
http://www.crestechsoftware.com.au

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Landsacpe Vision – Software to Bring Your Lanscape Vision to Reality $17.00 5 Easy Steps to the Perfect Yard!…

Landscape Design Software $3.99 Landscape Design Software…

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Marian Kraus: An Architectural Photographer With A Difference

As an architectural photographer, Chicago-based Marian Kraus takes a unique view of his art. As a photographer, it is his job to create high quality pictures. However, as an artist, it is his calling to do something more. And it is this something more that makes his work unique.

For every time this renowned architectural photographer from Chicago focuses his lens on the interior or exterior of a commercial or residential building, he provides the best possible perspective and visual representation of it. A city’s skyline is the one of the most enduring images to ever exist in the public imagination. Under the lens of Marian Kraus, the skyline of his native Chicago has been redefined as this architectural photographer introduces the viewers to the energy and colours of Chicago and its environment in a unique and satisfying manner.

Through his photography business, Marian Kraus Photography, this architectural photographer from Chicago has transformed even the most drab stone and steel office blocks into living, breathing celebrations of human creation and activity. Perhaps, it is through these pictures that the Marian Kraus story of personal transformation and fulfillment finds its highest expression.

After all, this exceptional architectural photographer from Chicago did roam, once upon a distant time, in the staid and drab corporate corridors of the steel industry in Germany and the US. But that was two decades ago and since then, he has never regretted his decision to leave behind the perceived certainty of Corporate for the satisfactory excitement of architectural photography.

The results of this transformation are memorable, to say the least. Relieved of the shackles of the corporate world, Marian Kraus has embarked on a journey whose destinations and transits are breathtaking and inspiring.

Perhaps his vision comes from his roots in Czechoslovakia and Germany, which are both home to some of the most stunning architectural landscapes in the world. With such a heritage, it is difficult not to develop a deeper sensitivity to architecture, and Life in general.

On the other hand, perhaps his vision simply comes from the deeper Self of Marian Kraus.

By approaching the landscapes of Chicago from the perspective of an artist, this architectural photographer has created a portfolio of work that is lyrical as well as marketable. His photographs speak volumes of his passion for his adopted profession, as well as his deep-rooted sensitivity, and ability to seek out beauty. Clients amongst architects, developers, construction firms and advertising agencies seek such talent.

A mere glimpse at his photographs will reveal that this master architectural photographer from Chicago is not only a great artist but also a precise and master craftsman. He can find beauty in the mundane and make effective use of light, shape and colour.

Most importantly, Marian Kraus makes an effort to blur the boundaries between art and commerce, and operates under the understanding that the pragmatic and the lyrical are not mutually exclusive. It is through this understanding that this renowned architectural photographer has become one of the most successful in his profession in the Chicago area.

For more information on this unique architectural photographer from Chicago, visit MarianKrausPhotography.

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