I ran through the earlier jobs lists and was pleased to see that we’d managed to clear most if not all the “do it once” jobs. The jobs that remain are the perpetual ones associated with the river bed itself and the bog garden, making sure they loose as little water through leaks as possible.
Leak detection and prevention
- Next to last river section on the Hanham Building side is again loosing water. Draining, cleaning, hole plugging and the application of a sealing product required. Target before Xmas 2018
- The bog garden surround abutting the river has numerous leaks into the river, no water is lost as it flows into the river but the worst of them need plugging so that the bog garden will better hold its water level should the circulation pump be turned off. A couple of the worse leaks were plugged using hydraulic cement and it appears to have been successful. Target before Xmas 2018
Algae strands and clumps are still an issue requiring regular cleaning of the river bed. On-line expert opinion says that a major contributor to algae growth is an increased level of CO2 in water produced by rotting leaf debris. We have a lot of leaf debris and little chance of keeping it out of the river, so a course of action is to oxygenate or aerate the water.
- On a trial basis I’ve added an oxygenating plant to the top section of the river. It was done late in the year when temperatures were falling so it’s too soon to measure its success.
- Is the natural solution does not produce a noticeable improvement then introducing air into the water by mechanical means will need to be explored.
The mechanical and electrical design of the gate valve has been progressed sufficiently to allow us to procure the parts for 12(?) units.
- Software for valve control
- Produce, commission and trail first off, when proven install at rear of Wendy House controlling water flow back to Sump. Target before Xmas 2018
Use prototype materials to create a long term test rig, possibly on public display, to evaluate performance, wear, ageing effects, over an extended period. Target March 2019
- Build up sufficient to meet the needs of butts farm installation. Target before Xmas 2018
- Build 4 off valve assemblies from which to construct the bidirectional water pumping system, construct the pumping system and trial. Target March 2018
- Software for Mk2 sensor
- Construct Mk2 MagSensor prototype (Target November 2018) and interface to RPi / ADC, commission, test and install in Wendy House Butts? Target before Xmas 2018
- Build sufficient sensors to meet the needs of butts farm installation and retrofit of current Sump sensor. Target January 2019
- Produce a diagram of the measurement and control system identifying all the constituent parts (to a sensible level of detail). Target November 2018
Install infrastructure to meet the needs of ongoing butts farm installation. Target January 2019
- Software for overall system control to meet the needs of ongoing butts farm installation.
Hanham Building Butts Farm
Rear of Lady Hanham building 2 groups of 5 barrels.
The Barrels, the majority of plumbing parts and most of the piece parts to make up the automated control valves have been acquired. The barrel location is agreed (at upper end of path behind Lady Hanham Building, barrel starting at the wooden fence, placed adjacent to the building so the path is still passable):
- Install suitable staging to accommodate barrels. Target January 2019
- Prepare barrels. Target February 2019
- Install barrels and plumbing and connect to MDPE pipe + control infrastructure. Target March 2019
- Route rainwater guttering from Main, Hanham and if possible Railway buildings to these butts. Target March 2019
Gazebo Butts Farm - Stretch Target for Winter 2018/9
1 Group of 5 barrels
- Install suitable staging to accommodate barrels.
- Prepare barrels.
- Install barrels and plumbing and route to suitable outlet for gardeners to use.
- Install suitable guttering.
- Route rainwater guttering the butts.
- Software for Gazebo butts (if different)
Thank you