Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
be a thing of the past, to the point that it does not even reach consciousness, except
as history. My studies and conversations with many people reveal that, for a remark-
able number of older and not so very old people, a basin wash still is a part of their
bathing pattern. From conversations and a lot of personal experimentation with dif-
ferent kinds of bathing, I fi nd that a basin wash has a number of advantages, quite
apart from being economical with water and energy. It is fl exible, in that one can have
an all-over wash, a partial wash or just a quick wipe according to need. It is quick.
Foot care can be done with a little water in a light plastic bowl on the ground. One
can sit down and safely wash one's feet, including the gentle regular use of a corn-
and-callus fi le. I have also discovered that I am not the only person of a certain age
who does not need the bowl because I can, comfortably and safely, put my leg over
the edge of the basin to wash my feet. In fact doing so regularly has improved my
balance and fl exibility. Do not, of course, do this if you are not confi dent that you are
comfortable and safe and have a suitable balancing support at hand.
Water Temperature
The mixed cold and hot water has to start a little hotter than
for a shower or bath, at about 41 °C, because heat is soon transferred to the basin,
bringing the temperature down to a safe and comfortable 38 °C. In winter, even this
heat is not wasted as it contributes to space heating. As for the slug of cold water in
the hot water plumbing, some or all of it may be used so that the fi nal temperature
is as desired. If the pipe from the boiler is long, excess cold can be saved in a jug for
second or third mixes. In the case of a very long slug, boiling water in a kettle and
taking it to the bathroom might be acceptable to some, but there is a safety issue so
it is unlikely to be widely used.
Water
I fi nd that a good hygienic wash and rinse can be had with three lots of
water, four plus two plus two litres, that is, eight litres altogether. Numbers and
methods, as with the other means of washing, can, however, vary greatly. Bathing is
a varied, personal matter, even within the current times and within westernised
prosperous societies.
Energy
Assuming an effi cient (90%) boiler and a loss of 5% in the plumbing
(an estimate and separate from the 'cold slug' effect), 8 l volume of water and tem-
perature raised from an average incoming mains temperature of 12 °C to 41 °C, one
fi nds that the energy needed is 0.32 kWh.
7.4
Camping
I have for about 7 years taken an interest in bathing at camp - not usually at the pre-
established permanent campsites with all mod cons but at alternative camps designed
to have a low environmental impact or protest camps set up without conventional
authority. A huge range of types of keeping clean is possible, adapted to a wide
range of situations. A few of the many things I learned from these experiences are:
Young people, including dedicated environmental activists, equate bathing with
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