Gowna firm to the fore

A new easily-fitted water saving device is guaranteed to cut down on the amount of water rates paid by busy commercial outlets such as licensed premises, hotels and restaurants, as well as the charges levied on public service facilities like schools and government offices. Seamus Madden of Gowna Light Engineering is a local installer of this novel water saving device and is very forthright in asserting its effectiveness to the user both in environmental and financial terms. The Posiflush urinal control system has been designed and developed by highly skilled engineers. Very versatile in its operation, its variable settings allow adjustable time delays between flushing. It also has an infra-red (PIR) detector, which picks up movement within the "sensing area" switching the unit into a timing mode when necessary. It is now recognised that Posiflush water saving device has substantial water saving potential. All water that comes through our taps and used in our homes and businesses is fit for drinking and drinking water is now an expensive commodity to produce. The modern day reservoir is maintained to a high standard; there are sophisticated treatment and filtration plants and no cost is spared to ensure that what comes through our taps meets all health and environmental requirements. During the boom years great strides were made in upgrading water services and it is acknowledged that the provision of drinking water does not come freely - it must, therefore, be conserved and used conscientiously in all circumstances. We saw during the recent freeze up how sensitive our water system is and how people can be left without water due to the actions of others who leave taps running or waste it excessively in their particular farming or business operation. Gone are the days of an endless flow of water through the mains and in line with this new enlightened approach measures are being introduced to cut down on water wastage across the whole sphere of business activity and public services. Schools are among those being targeted for water conservation. From January 2010, schools have to pay water charges based on usage and the Department of Education is encouraging the fitting of simple water saving devices to toilets and wash hand basins in schools. Urinals in schools and in all public used toilets are programmed to flush every few minutes 24/7 and this is now widely viewed as an unnecessary waste of water. Every time you flush a toilet, you waste up to 30 litres of water and the fitting of this new water saving device cuts down hugely on the unnecessary flushing of urinals when schools are shut either at the end of the school day or during holidays. It doesn't mean that the urinal or toilet doesn't flush - but the number of times it does so is reduced very significantly. Licensed premises and public buildings will also benefit from this new water saving mechanism, which is installed by Gowna Light Engineering. Seamus Madden explains that the device is also actively sought by big employers who have a hefty water bill due to the considerable usage of toilets and wash hand basins in their workplaces. He revealed that the Quinn Group engaged him to install the device in their premises in Cavan, Derrylin and Blanchardstown in recent weeks. Hotels are also aware of the benefits and are asking him to help them out in this new drive to conserve water and reduce costs. Gerry Fitzpatrick informed us that Gowna Community Development are very supportive of the water conservation initiative being undertaken by Seamus Madden and Gowna Light Engineering. "We are fully behind local community enterprise and the conservation of water is important not alone in environmental terms but also in financial terms. If you happen to be on the parents' committee of a local school then every penny counts and if you are visibly taking measures to cut costs then it makes it easier for you to go out fundraising," he contends. Seamus Madden advises us that the Posiflush water saving device can be ESB mains driven or battery operated. A battery lasts for three years. The Posiflush mechanism is now fitted widely in all public offices throughout Northern Ireland, he says. "We are working with Cavan and Longford County Councils in the promotion of water savings. If somebody is having a major problem with regard to water usage we would come and deal with whatever leaks or water wastage that are there," explains Seamus. Gowna Light Engineering and Seamus Madden are fully committed to alternative energy, water conservation and proper insulation of homes. They work with the Cavan Energy team in focusing on different ways of promoting energy conservation. In this new high-tech age, there is also now a new, simple device available which by the turn of a switch can cut off the supply of water into a house. It is for all appearances like an electric switch and can be easily fitted in the kitchen or other accessible part of the house. This device is very useful if a family or householder is heading off on holidays and doesn't wish to be confronted with the unwelcome occurrence of a water leak when they are away. Water damage was the unpleasant reality for some people who returned home after having been away during the recent big freeze. The easy to reach water mains switch and the new water saving device are some examples of the new green technology that is now on the market, which makes life easier for all of us.