July 2007

What is structured wiring?

Traditionally, telephone, cable and Internet service providers have run dedicated wires from outside homes or businesses to specific walls where people want jacks for telephones, fax machines, TV sets or computers.
That's still done today, and it works for many homeowners. Yet, more and more new homes, particularly those in high-end markets, are being equipped with "structured wiring," also known as "digital-communication backbones."

Services are delivered to a central location or hub, perhaps a utility closet. Wires are then run to jacks throughout the home.
What you're saying to the cable company (and other service providers) is, 'Just plug it into the home, and we'll worry about the distribution.'

One of the benefits of structured wiring is that homeowners can easily switch service providers in the future. Another benefit is it allows audio, video and other home services to be integrated and controlled by computer. That includes automated lighting, security and heating-and-cooling systems.

The options for structured wiring applications are virtually endless and you will need to consult with an expert to determine the level of control that is right for you. A basic structured wiring package can be installed for $1,500 to $3,000 but can go into the hundreds of thousands for a fully integrated system.

Are We Going to Run Out of Water?

The short answer is no, but with the population of Kendall County expected to double between 2000 and 2020 we can expect to see increasing pressures on our water supply. One thing is for certain, we will have to do a much better job of managing this precious resource.

A promising option is rainwater harvesting where rainwater that falls on the roof of a home or building is collected and stored in cisterns for later use. Rainwater harvesting has been around for thousands of years and was used extensively by the early European settlers of the Texas Hill Country. If you drive around you can still see evidence of the rainwater cisterns near many of the older rural homes.

A properly designed rainwater system can provide a reliable source of water even through an extended drought. Rainwater is valued for its purity and softness. It has a nearly neutral pH and is free from disinfectants, salts, minerals, and other contaminants.

From a financial standpoint, the water is free and the cost for installing and operating a rainwater harvesting system is comparable to a well water system but cannot currently compete on a cost basis with water provided by a central utility.

Here is some information about rainwater harvesting that you should know.

• Because of its purity, rainwater can be treated with a relatively simple and inexpensive system of filters and ultraviolet light
  
• A typical family of four will need about 25,000 gallons of storage for a home with water efficient fixtures but this will vary depending on landscape needs
  
• A 2000 square foot roof will yield as much as 32,000 gallons of potable water on an average rainfall year
  
• Metal roofs are preferable for catchment surfaces although slate, tile and concrete roofs also work well.
  
• There are a number of options for cisterns including galvanized metal, concrete, wood, fiberglass, and polypropylene. In most cases polypropylene tanks are the most cost effective.
  
• Make sure that your tanks do not allow in any light otherwise algae will form

If you have a rural property with a well or are going to need to have a well installed, rainwater harvesting may be a viable option for you. For more information on rainwater harvesting attend one of the Cibolo Nature Center classes or go to the Texas Water Development Boards website www.twbd.state.tx.us and download the Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting.

Warmest regards,


Israel Pena, President