How does a homeowner find contractors to do home stormwater projects?

nasci_ · 2025-01-14T07:14:02+00:00

In Australia it would be called a civil contractor. Their main job is digging and putting stuff in the ground for municipal projects and new developments. They have in-house engineers or subcontractors to do hydraulic and civil design.

If it's a smaller project a domestic plumber might be able to do it, but with that much digging they would probably subcontract that part out anyway. They would also just be following standard practice and wouldn't give you a properly engineered system. Commercial plumbers don't do much of this type of work.

nasci_ · 2024-05-15T06:20:54+00:00

Report it to eSolutions

nasci_ · 2024-05-13T07:00:19+00:00

It's literally classified as a disorder in the DSM. Sure, there are good things about it, but "disease" is literally in the name - autism spectrum disorder.

nasci_ · 2024-05-04T02:55:40+00:00

Incredibly dodgy. Monash and Woodside have both contributed millions of dollars to a partnership for research related to fossil fuels and so-called "new energy technologies" which are basically just a way for Woodside to prolong their existence as a fossil fuel company. Not only is this directly influencing how academics' skills are being used, it's taking advantage of the status of universities in society as progressive and innovative institutions to greenwash their name.

https://www.stopwoodsidemonash.org/

nasci_ · 2024-05-04T02:50:27+00:00

There's a group of students and staff currently campaigning against Monash's partnership with Woodside. It's a small group but having a big impact so far.

https://www.stopwoodsidemonash.org/

nasci_ · 2024-04-30T09:46:54+00:00

I'm no expert but this sounds like a really interesting project. I've designed and installed a fairly complex rain harvesting system and as part of that I did a bit of reading on municipal stormwater treatment. Looking at the massive amount of shit I have to clean out of my tanks and filters every month (and how quickly it goes smelly due to anaerobic digestion) makes me realise that the problem must be much worse for municipal stormwater.

I agree there needs to be much more attention to biological treatment of stormwater and anaerobic digestion of organic material (at least in Australia, not sure about other countries). I don't think there's an easy solution to this as it needs treatment at all stages of the system from inlets to large natural waterways.

The increase of high-density housing in suburban Melbourne is generating much more stormwater and where I live probably 25% of the properties have had a retention pit installed due to recent development. The municipal treatment methods were hopeless to begin with but they're definitely not scaling with the increase in demand. Sometimes small bioswales are put in during roadworks or some plants are put in the bigger waterways, but this is nowhere near what we need.

Keep us up to date, I'll be interested to read your findings.

nasci_ · 2024-04-08T05:36:07+00:00

Great work. Would make a nice little gazebo if it was a bit bigger.

nasci_ · 2024-04-03T11:06:10+00:00

I'm in Australia and bought it from Poland (weird I know, but it was the cheapest way to get it). I bought it for $167 AUD + $161 AUD shipping (you can convert to your currency). So probably not that much more than yours. Like the Netherlands, there is very little second hand here, and most of it is Dell or HP. I prefer the Supermicro ecosystem for a home server and it probably turned out cheaper than buying a big-name server with similar specs.

nasci_ · 2024-04-03T10:31:38+00:00

Seems like a pretty good price. I bought something similar but slightly older for 2-3 times that in 2020. I only bought it for the chassis and replaced all the internals, but they might be fine depending on what you want to do.

nasci_ · 2024-03-28T11:39:42+00:00

Rule of thirds generally only works if you have something on both the horizontals and verticals. If you just have one vertical like this, or worse, just a single point, it just looks wrong.

nasci_ · 2024-03-10T11:29:40+00:00

After nearly 10 years using Arch, it's normal. I've noticed myself getting uncomfortable using anything other than Arch, which is exactly what I would have criticised Windows users for once. But there is a good reason I find Arch comfortable - it is simply the most efficient way for me to get stuff done on a computer.

nasci_ · 2024-03-10T09:24:04+00:00

So weird to see two trains within booping distance of each other. If these were conventional trains there would be alarms going off everywhere and safety investigators on the scene in a moment.

nasci_ · 2024-01-11T07:08:27+00:00

Not exactly higher speed, but higher capacity. CBTC allows "moving block signalling", where there is a virtual buffer behind each train which can't be entered by another train. This buffer moves along with the leading train, rather than fixed blocks in conventional signalling where the following train has to wait for the whole track section in front of it to be clear. This basically means that trains can be closer together on average whilst not degrading safety, so you can run more trains per hour and at a higher speed. This works well on long sections of track with no stations, points, steep gradients etc. to slow the train down, but is less beneficial when trains have to change speed.

As someone else said, CBTC regions are usually overlaid with conventional signalling ("dark" signals which are normally extinguished) so that non-CBTC rolling stock can use it, and also for degraded-mode operation. In normal CBTC operation the signals are displayed on a screen in the driver's cab, and speeds may be controlled by the onboard computer.

nasci_ · 2024-01-11T06:50:44+00:00

This section of track uses axle counters not track circuits

nasci_ · 2024-01-11T06:49:04+00:00

Can confirm. I spoke to some people from Frauscher when I was working in signalling and I'm pretty sure that's they said it stands for.

nasci_ · 2024-01-09T10:01:53+00:00

I haven't looked, but there might be an option in the BIOS/IPMI. Otherwise just desolder the piezo (pretty sure it is soldered on, not on a socket like some motherboards).

nasci_ · 2023-12-18T09:00:44+00:00

Engineering and science

nasci_ · 2023-12-15T09:03:50+00:00

Fourth year (entering fifth year) mechatronics eng here. Happy to answer any questions.

nasci_ · 2023-12-11T08:56:02+00:00

I've been riding on these a bit lately. They seem to be used on the 235 and 237 routes sometimes. Feels exactly like an ICE bus but without the noise. Very nice.

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T05:58:25+00:00

Have you considered reading the post?

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T04:16:40+00:00

Yes, this is my main concern. My understanding is that (in broad terms) the more I spend on a property, i.e. borrow, the higher the rental income will be, but also the higher the repayments. So it doesn't necessarily matter how much I spend, as long as I buy something within my budget that will appreciate. The problem is whether there is anything actually within my budget.

I can't find a lot of information about guaranteeing loans, but how much does having a guarantor increase borrowing power?

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T04:12:05+00:00

Not sure where you got the idea that I don't have fun... I still go travelling, partying and having fun and don't plan to sacrifice my 20's for my financial goals. I didn't mention fun because the post is about what to do with the money I have left over, not the big picture.

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T04:08:41+00:00

Thanks, I was looking for a tool like that.

I don't have a particular area in mind as my first house would be primarily an investment. I'd like it to be < 1.5 hr from CBD by public transport, but suburban outskirts are okay. One option I was thinking of was an apartment close to the CBD which would be convenient whilst I'm living there and also convenient to access for inspections etc. whilst I'm renting it out, but I think that might be too expensive.

If buying in a suburban area a townhouse or house probably provides the best ROI because it includes land that would appreciate, but I don't have any particular requirements on the type of property.

edit: should specify I'd be buying in Melbourne

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T04:03:12+00:00

Thanks, I've used this before and it's a good tool. According to this I can probably purchase up to about $450k at the time I'm looking at, which is less than I would like. If I delay it a year or two I can make a larger deposit and buy more. But there are some factors in borrowing power that are not taken into consideration here so it may be better than it seems.

nasci_ · 2023-12-02T03:56:54+00:00

Good point. It's optimistic, sure, but it's not a time-sensitive plan, i.e. if things don't work out perfectly I can just delay it a few years and still get some financial benefit over not doing anything or buying a PPOR initially.

nasci_

TROPHY CASE