Concerns over Cistern Use in New Orleans Project

Posted on May 12, 2008
Tag(s): Green Building, Cities, Going Green | | Email this

Thanks to efforts of Global Green USA, Brad Pitt and the Home Depot Foundation, homes in the Holy Cross neighborhood of New Orleans, are being revitalized with high performance green building strategies. One of those strategies is being questioned by the Louisiana Department of Health. That is the use of water from cisterns (rain catchment systems) to flush toilets.

“Forty percent of the average American household’s drinking water supply is literally flushed down the toilet every year, so using rainwater collected through the cistern system to flush toilets would dramatically lower a home’s water consumption,” according to Green Program Building Associate Mike Lopez.

The first cistern system featuring a 1,000 gallon storage tank was recently installed at one of the environmentally-friendly homes. Rainwater collected from a series of gutters along the roof will be directed to the tank. From there, an electric pump will provide the water necessary to flush the home’s water-conserving dual-flush toilets.

Concerns included: the possibility of mosquitoes accessing the cisterns; drought conditions; and whether rainwater would ever mix with the city’s water supply. Lopez stated, “Proper maintenance will ensure the health of the system and should prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the systems. The system will not be connected to the drinking water supply at all.” No word was given on the prospect of drought.

After a few minor adjustments to the system, the State Health Officer is prepared to approve the use of cisterns on a trial basis.

Learn more about the Holy Cross Project here.

Source: New Orleans CityBusiness