• Wastewater

    What is the Most Eco-friendly Sanitation System?

    October 24, 2024 - By 

    So let’s assume that we want clean water leaving our home or business. That’s pretty much a given.Within that context we need a sewage or sanitation system that works well, but we also want to gofurther. The two main steps beyond conventional sewage options are zero energy inputs andadditional benefits for the environment in terms of biodiversity or materials outputs. In order of preference, here are five places to start: The first obvious place to start is dry compost toilet systems. These do not use any water; in thiscontext select a system that also avoids high energy inputs; and provide…

  • Biodiversity - Climate - Ponds - Rewilding - Water - the wider picture

    Being the Beaver

    June 7, 2024 - By 

    Féidhlim Harty explores the potential for (re)introductions of beavers into the Irish landscape – and offers some workarounds for doing their work while we wait. Published in Horticulture Connected on June 6, 2024 (link below). Without wanting to overstate the obvious: beavers are amazing landscape engineers. For those new to the subject, these small, vegetarian, water-loving animals play a role within the landscape that is way above what you’d expect from their shy, secluded demeanours. The dams that beavers build in rivers and streams are just the right design for flood prevention; holding water during downpours and then allowing some…

  • Climate - Wastewater - Willow Systems

    Willows are a Win-Win

    August 24, 2023 - By 

    First published in Horticulture Connected on August 24, 2023 Mopping up sewage pollution, sequestering carbon and promoting biodiversity – willow wastewater systems are the solution we need for one-off houses in the countryside. WORDS: Féidhlim Harty. We seem to be on a whole suite of collision courses, including housing, climate, biodiversity and water pollution. Many young people in rural areas are looking at family land, with no prospect of being allowed to build due to poor soil percolation characteristics. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Code of Practice: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems is a government guidance document. It outlines methods…

  • Biodiversity - Sustainable living

    Wildlife Gardening

    June 24, 2023 - By 

    Wildlife gardens are specially designed and planted to provide the maximum benefit to birds, butterflies and bees, as well as attractive places for people. They tend to be lower maintenance than ordinary garden designs; allowing the wildlife to get on with its life and you to get on with yours. A wildlife garden can be any size, from a postage-stamp urban lawn surrounded by butterfly friendly shrubs and flowers, to large wildflower meadows with hedgehogs and sparrow hawks. Have a look at Mary Reynolds’ We Are the Ark for a wealth of information and ideas about creating more wildlife friendly…

  • Sustainable living

    Critical raw materials: Irish waste advisory group update

    April 27, 2023 - By 

    Report for Feasta on April 27, 2023 The most recent meeting of the Waste Advisory Group to the Dept of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) examined forthcoming waste legislation; a presentation on the proposed Critical Raw Materials Act; and an outline of the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan. My attention was particularly drawn by the new Critical Raw Materials Act. An excerpt from the DECC presentation brief states that: Critical raw materials (CRMs) are indispensable inputs in our economy, particularly as they are used to manufacture technologies required for the deployment of green energy, for the digital transition or for…

  • Food and Farming - Ponds

    Ponds for farms and communities, step by step – video with Green Foundation Ireland

    April 24, 2023 - By 

    Posted on 24 Apr 2023 by Green Foundation Ireland, in this talk Feidhlim Harty gives an overview of pond design and construction to help landowners and local communities create new ponds. Ponds provide valuable habitat for wildlife as well as beautiful areas to walk near and watch nature. We explore siting, sizing, shape, edge slope, depth and aftercare; looking at the steps needed to get from discussing the initial idea through to design, construction and finish.

  • Biodiversity - Climate - Rewilding

    Healthy Habitats to address climate breakdown

    February 28, 2023 - By 

    Published by Feasta on February 23rd, 2022 (https://www.feasta.org/2022/02/23/healthy-habitats/) & updated February 2023. Underlying the discussions about carbon levels and energy efficiency is another, arguably much more important issue that tends to take second place in both policy and activism. The issue is that of healthy habitats. It is healthy soil that provides the ability to grow healthy food. Healthy river and stream catchments yield a regular supply of healthy water. Healthy peatlands, oceans and woodlands all play an invaluable role in providing atmospheric gaseous exchange; in other words healthy air to breathe. Conversely, without healthy habitats on a global scale, our…

  • Sustainable living - Wastewater

    Interview on Heart to Hearth: Chats about Irish Vernacular Buildings

    December 20, 2022 - By 

    Click here to hear the podcast December 26th, 2022 | 44:35 Episode Summary In this episode, we chat with Feidhlim Harty. Feidhlim is an environmental consultant based in County Clare. In today’s chat, we look at some sustainable solutions for treating waste water from rural domestic buildings, and chat about Feidhlim’s own experiences renovating a rural vernacular cottage. This episode will be of interest to anyone who is hoping to renovate a vernacular building that doesn’t currently have any services. Hosted by Tríona Byrne. Edited by Deirdre Keeley. Artwork by Róisín Beirne. Theme music by Cillian Byrne. Generously supported by…