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If youre a homeowner, youve probably got a long list of home improvement projects to tackle. While bringing your home up to date can increase its value, you cant tackle everything at once. Instead, youll want to prioritize whether youre doing a quick project or a full-on renovation.

Winter is a great time to update your bathroom. For one, its an indoor project, so you wont have to deal with the cold. Plus, renovated bathrooms are well-known for producing a solid return on investment. It can also be cost-effective to start a project in the winter, since prices for materials usually rise in the early spring.

Here are 15 DIY bathroom projects to tackle this season:

Changing an outdated light fixture can spruce up your bathroom by making it appear brighter and fresher. A hanging fixture, for instance, can add some much-needed personality, or you can install the fixture above the mirror to reflect light around the room.

This project involves temporarily disconnecting the electricity and working with wiring, so you may want to hire an expert if youre uncomfortable with this part.

Adding tile is a great way to modernize the bathroom without a complete overhaul. Its also easy to clean, durable, and moisture-resistant and there are lots of options.

You may decide to re-tile the floor, install tile halfway up the shower walls, or lay a simple backsplash above the sink. White subway tiles are classic, but you can get creative by arranging them in a herringbone or chevron design, or using a hexagon- or honeycomb-shaped tile.

Wallpaper can add an upscale look to your powder room, whether you cover the whole thing or only apply it to one accent wall to create a focal point.

Look for splash-proof wallpaper, which is designed for high-humidity areas and wont peel off as easily as regular wallpaper. You can also experiment with bold colors or patterns to create a statement.

Learn More: 18 Home Improvement Projects You Can Wrap Up in a Day

The vanity is a great place to keep your bathroom necessities organized and out of sight, and its also a spot where you can add some personality.

Try painting the vanity a bold new color, installing new hardware, or using painted stencils or wallpaper on the door panels. You can also replace the top with a butcher block or granite countertop for a stylish look.

If you want to swap out the vanity completely, look for upcycled furniture to repurpose. An old dresser, nightstand, or coffee table can easily be transformed into your new bathroom organization system. You can add a fresh coat of paint and new hardware, then cut a hole on the top for a sink.

Tip: Remember to moisture-proof the counter with a few coats of clear polyurethane.

If you live in a colder climate, youll want to stay extra toasty when getting out of the shower. A wall-mounted towel warmer keeps your towels warm and can give any bathroom a luxurious feel. Towel warmers are easy to install and typically plug into a standard outlet.

Replacing a frameless, rectangular mirror with a more artful version can spruce up your bathroom easily. These come in different shapes, colors, and patterns to give your bathroom a style all your own.

When exploring your options online or in a store, look for a mirror that fits the space well and comes with a hanger bracket for easy installation. For a cheaper and easier project, you can keep the original mirror and get a kit to add the frame.

Sometimes accent features are all you need to make a bathroom feel brand new. Replacing the faucets, towel rack, shower head, light fixtures, and toilet paper holder are easy and budget-friendly projects to tackle in the winter.

You can go for a classic look, like brushed nickel, or use a funky design from an antique store. The point is to create a unified suite to tie the room together.

Check Out: 8 Popular Pandemic Home Renovations to Transform Your Space

If your bathroom is a tight squeeze, you might need to get creative with storage solutions. You can install floating shelves or a wall cabinet above the toilet and add a bar with hooks next to the tub so your towel is always at the ready. If you cant hang anything on the walls, try positioning a storage ladder over the toilet and use it to store your bathroom necessities.

Installing energy-efficient features throughout your home may help you save on utility bills while helping the planet at the same time. On top of that, high energy-efficiency ratings can boost your home value by 2.7% on average, according to research by Freddie Mac.

For a simple, DIY project, upgrade to energy-efficient lighting with halogen incandescent, CFL, or LED light bulbs. You can also install insulated windows and an Energy Star-rated toilet to further reduce your carbon footprint but these are more complex tasks that might require a contractor.

A fresh coat of paint isnt usually considered a remodel, but using the right color may boost your resale value. A warm, neutral color can help the bathroom appear cleaner and brighter. Or, for something different, you can use painted stencils for a flourish along the trim.

If your shower doesnt have enough storage for your familys soaps and shampoos, shower shelves can be a great addition. Corner shelves are popular, or you can install a wire caddy or build a recessed shelf into the wall.

Its possible to add these features even if your shower is tiled, using water-resistant adhesive or screws and a lightweight material for the shelf.

Installing new blinds can help make the bathroom feel new and even improve energy-efficiency. Closing the blinds to keep heat out in the summer might cut down on cooling costs. And in the cooler months, you can open the blinds to use natural light and keep utility costs down. Curtains also add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral bathroom.

See: 15 Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before You List Your Home

Though you may never think about your bathrooms exhaust fan, its an important part of your homes ventilation system. These remove heat, odors, and moisture from the bathroom helping to prevent mold and improve your air quality.

Exhaust fans usually last about 10 years. If youre not sure when it was last replaced, its a smart idea to invest in a new one.

If youre looking for ways to maximize your storage space, consider adding static or slide-out shelves to your cabinets. You can use baskets to further organize your bathroom necessities and store extras like linens and towels. These shelves come pre-made at hardware stores, but you might be able to reuse parts from an old dresser or vanity.

When youre planning out your bathroom update, you may decide to tackle just a few of these projects or put all of them on your to-do list. Consider what your bathroom needs, your budget, and how much time you have. The good news is, these projects are generally easy to do by yourself or with a partner.

If youre doing extensive remodeling to your home and need a way to fund all of the projects, you may want to consider a cash-out refinance. With a cash-out refinance, youll replace your existing mortgage with a newer, larger mortgage and receive the difference as a lump sum. Credible can help you find a great rate on a cash-out refinance in just a few minutes.

Find My LoanNo annoying calls or emails from lenders!

About the author

Kim Porter

Kim Porter is an expert in credit, mortgages, student loans, and debt management. She has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Reviewed.com, Bankrate, Credit Karma, and more.

Home All Mortgage Refinance 15 DIY Bathroom Remodeling Projects to Tackle This Winter

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15 DIY Bathroom Remodeling Projects to Tackle This Winter - Credible News

IF YOU think vehicle trackers are only for supercars and luxury limos, think again: these days there are very few arguments against getting one for even everyday runarounds.

Vehicle tracking devices are easy to fit, can be bought inexpensively, provide added reassurance and can help in the quick recovery of your car following a theft (with the potential to save on insurance as a result).

But of course, there are more sophisticated trackers available, too, which might be essential if you own high value cars.

Most rely on either Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) or Very High Frequency (VHF) radio signals to locate your car.

GPS is particularly useful as it can not only be used to pinpoint a car anywhere in the world, but it can also provide additional functionality to the owner through an app or website, allowing them to calculate their business mileage, for instance, or find out where theyve parked the car.

The main disadvantage of GPS is that the signal isnt especially strong, meaning that if a car is driven underground or into a shipping container, it can be hard to locate.

Thats where VHF comes into its own. The appropriately-named Tracker is the best-known company in the field, and it uses a hybrid set-up of GPS and VHF.

VHF means that if a car is driven into an underground car park, for example, it can still be easily found. All 52 police forces in the UK are equipped to find stolen cars fitted with Tracker devices that broadcast a VHF signal.

While it might be expensive and require professional installation, many insurers will insist on a Tracker, especially on higher-end cars.

Tracking services will often build up a picture of the drivers normal behaviour, thus being able to alert the driver if it detects the car being driven outside the usual time or location parameters.

Systems may feature engine cut-off capability meaning that if a car being driven by a thief stops at traffic lights or slows below a certain speed, power can be cut so that the car cant be driven any further.

There are tracking devices and systems out there designed to fit most drivers requirements with prices starting from less than 50. Most are either plugged into the cars 12V socket, the On-board Diagnostics (OBD) port or wired to the battery terminals.

The majority require a SIM card to operate with the owner footing the monthly bill to their mobile data provider, while others require a monthly subscription fee to the tracking company instead.

In 2020, car thefts in the London area had risen by some 256% compared to 2016 while increases of 100% were recorded in Birmingham and Greater Manchester.

With much of this being attributed to keyless entry theft, other security measures such as steering locks and tracking devices can be useful weapons in an owners anti-theft arsenal.

Any up-front or monthly costs should be offset against the added peace of mind from knowing that your car and possessions may not be totally lost in the event of a theft, as well as against potential insurance savings.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a tracking device, including initial price, monthly costs, ease of use, ease of installation and reliability. Here are some of the best.

At more than 700 and with an annual subscription fee, the Tracker S5 Plus is pricey, but this is one of the best tracking devices out there. It uses VHF technology making it difficult for thieves to jam the signal, identity tags to verify whether someone is authorised to drive the car and, if it detects an unauthorised person behind the wheel, itll alert the owner.

Trackers system provides Europe-wide coverage and is often the only tracking device approved by insurers.

Click to buy at Trackers website

At the opposite end of the price scale is the Amatrac AM-T22. Offering buyers a lot for their money, it plugs into the cars OBD II port (all cars since 2001 have one) and has a number of features including GPS tracking, alerts when the cars leaves a certain areas and when its driven above a designated speed.

It also features a microphone allowing you to remotely listen in on whats happening inside the car. Buyers can choose their own SIM option, which means an additional monthly cost.

Click to buy at Amazon.co.uk

With the Streetwize GPS tracker, the user simply sends a text message to the devices SIM card for a report on the cars location.

It can either be powered by the cars 12v battery or its own batteries, which have a life of around 200 hours before recharging is required.

It can potentially be used for tracking anything, including luggage, as its so portable.

As with the Amatrac, buyers need to provide their own SIM so thats an additional monthly cost to consider.

Click to buy from Halfords

Though it doesnt connect to the cars battery, the iTracks battery reportedly lasts up to three years between charges, which is longer than a jail sentence for any potential car thief, though if constantly tracking the battery life comes down to 40 days.

Like the Streetwize, location data is accessed by texting the devices SIM card, though its also possible to set up live tracking through a free app.

The SIM comes with the device and tracking is free during a 14-day trial subscription, after which its just 20 per year.

Click to buy from Halfords

Although this requires hard-wiring, its easy enough for most users to do themselves. The connectors can simply be affixed under the battery terminal bolts while the device can be secured using either cable ties or sticky pads.

In theory, as it goes under the bonnet, its more discreet than products that plug into the cars OBD port or interior sockets, and at less than 35, the Rewire is cheap as chips, though as with the others, theres a subscription fee to be aware of.

Click to buy from Amazon.co.uk

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Should I get a tracker for my car, and what are the best to buy? - Sunday Times Driving

Dash cams are your second set of eyes on todays mean streets. Unlike a passenger, a dash cam is ever alert to whats happening, keeping a record complete with timestamp and GPS coordinates. There are different things to consider when choosing a dash cam, such as whether you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. We have reviews of all types. For even more information on what features to look for in dash cam, scroll to our buyers guide beneath our buying recommendations.

You can also save yourself a lot of confusion and aggravation by checking out our instructions on how to install a dash cam.

1. Cobra SC 400D

Our recent review of the Cobra SC 400D left us smitten. Its pricey, yes, but it delivers with stunning images4K for the front, 1080p in the rearday or night, has a crisp 3-inch screen, and can be expanded with a 120-degree FOV cam for the interior.

2. Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam

Not only does the 622GW accept the companys versatile rear view modules, it takes the most realistic, detailed night videos weve ever seenby far. Throw in drive mapping, a wonderful 3-inch display, plus emergency response to accidents, and you have a winner.

3. Viofo A129 Pro Duo

Another of the 4K-front/1080p rear camera setups, the Viofo A129 Pro Duo was the first to win us over to the benefits of 4K. Its been matched in those abilities by newer models, but the A129 comes at a competitive price that cant be ignored.

4. Nextbase 222X Dash Cam Budget option

If you really want to save money, this Walmart-exclusive Nextbase 222X front-and-rear camera duo offers great value. The 1080p/720p video is a compromise, but video quality was good, it has a nice magnetic mount, a clear 2.5 screen, and a battery-supported parking mode.

1. Garmin Dash Cam 57

This small but mighty front dash cam has it all: great 1440p video with a 140-degree field of view; integrated GPS and driving assistance; good phone connectivity; an easy and convenient magnetic mounting system; and the backing of Garmins good name.

2. Thinkware F200 Pro dash cam Budget option

Our budget pick for this category is no slouch. Thinkwares F200 Pro sports a very svelt profile, the better for remaining unobtrusive. Beyond that, its one heck of product, worth the slight premium over rock-bottom budget models.

1. Garmin Dash Cam Tandem

Garmins front/interior camera is easy to install, features a compact body that helps it avoid detection, and has an excellent magnetic mountall useful features that make up for the average 1440p/720p video capture quality.

2. Cobra SC 201 Smart Dash Cam Budget option

Dash cams are all about capturing the action, and few do it better than thefront/interior Cobra SC 201 Smart Dash Cam (currently $179.95 on Amazon). The exterior night video, especially, is unsurpassed in its ability to show details in dark surroundings and it offers a laundry list of features including GPS and cloud uploads. The company even includes a 16GB SD card. Its well worth the money for what you getjust dont try to use the cloud functionality with an older phone OS. Read our full review.

1. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

This is the smallest dash cam on the market that we know of. Definitely the top choice for anyone who wants their dash cam to remain discreet. But its small size doesnt mean its lacking in features. Its 1080p front video is good day and night; the cam can be controlled via voice commands or using the paired smartphone app; and its affordable. We can sacrifice the GPS for these perks.

Well step you through what to think about when youre shopping for a dash cam, from video capabilities, recording options, power connections, and more.

Something most people dont consider before they buy is that dash cams connect to a power source in your car via a physical cable. That cable can sometimes be tucked out of the way, but more likely than not youll have loose cable hanging somewhere. You can sometimes fix this with a longer or shorter cable (or a professional installation). Keep that in mind as you consider your power options:

Few people are as well situated geographically as I am to test dash cams. Within two blocks there are major four- and six-lane thoroughfares, numerous bike lanes, joggers, dog walkers, oblivious ear-budded pedestrians, and a major bus nexus serving both public and private coaches. The opportunities for near-accident are endless.

For every dash cam, I mount it in my car, judging the ease and convenience of doing so.Tip:Many dash cams rely on adhesive for mounting to your windshield. Hot conditions can make it next to impossible to remove the film that protects the adhesive. Remove the film in a cool environment, or place it in the fridge for a minute or two before installing it.

I put each dash cam through several days and nights worth of driving,recording video and judging the image quality. All the dash cams Ive reviewed in the last couple of years take good daytime video. However, night video is often plagued by murky shadows and headlight flare. That said, quality is improving rapidly with the introduction of new sensors. Take a close look at the night shots in each review.

I try all the features: Buttons, display controls, apps.Aside from rear-view support and GPS, the most salient differences between the products are the interface controls and extra features, such as the lane departure and collision warnings that you get with some models. I try themand I turn them off. In practice, they usually tell me Im changing lanes, in heavy traffic, or have just been cut off. Additionally, the collision warnings generally come too late to do anything but distract you at exactly the wrong time.

Note that the one thing I cant relate to you is longevity, as my testing occurs over a relatively short amount of time. Please check user reviews on various sights and pay attention to the warranty.

Dash cams have plenty of room to evolve. As nice as dual-channel is, theres talk about true 360-degree video. Check out TechHivesreview of PowerDVD 16s 3D playbackto see how compelling that can be.

Melissa Riofrio spent her formative journalistic years reviewing some of the biggest iron at PCWorld--desktops, laptops, storage, printers--and she continued to focus on hardware testing during stints at Computer Currents and CNET. Currently, in addition to leading PCWorlds content direction, she covers productivity laptops and Chromebooks.

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Best dash cams 2021: Your second set of eyes on the road - PCWorld

Pods arrive at Victoria Dock in Dundee, for construction of Hillcrest houses Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. Linked In An icon of the Linked In logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo.

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Pods arrive at Victoria Dock in Dundee, for construction of Hillcrest houses - The Courier

Take a look around your room. It is likely full of sophisticated digital technology: computers, smartphones, an internet-enabled TV, and even a smart speaker. However, the building itself has not really changed since the introduction of electrical wiring and central heating many decades ago.

Smart buildings aim to bring digital technologies into the fabric of the building, rather than just to objects within it. They will utilize a wide range of emerging technologies, such as semi-transparent photovoltaics on windows, moisture sensors for leak detection, and printed heaters with wall panels.

Combined with changes to building construction, such as greater use of prefabricated panels with integrated electronic functionality, incorporating technologies such as these promises smart buildings that facilitate predictive maintenance, are more energy-efficient, and are responsive to the needs of occupants.

Anyone that has had a water leak at home knows that it is extremely annoying and expensive, with walls, ceilings, and flooring all needing replacement. Furthermore, the affected area is out of action while everything is dried using extremely noisy fans and dehumidifiers. Clearly, a technology that reduces the likelihood and severity of leaks would bring clear benefits to home and business owners, along with insurance companies.

An alternative approach to leak detection is being developed by UK company Laiier. It offers low-cost capacitive sensors, which are made from carbon-based inks and can be produced using conventional graphics printers. The thin-film sensor format enables them to be placed underneath appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, boilers, and pipes, or even under flooring or within walls. The sensors are connected to the cloud, and hence able to provide the property owner with an alert when an increase in moisture is detected, enabling repairs to be performed before a leak becomes significant.

Housebuilding techniques have not changed substantially in many years, with most houses still being constructed on-site using conventional building materials. Plumbing and electricity are installed during the construction process, requiring skilled manual labor during every build. While most cars have been produced on a production line with extensive automation for many years, houses are still essentially handcrafted.

There is thus an excellent opportunity to simultaneously reduce construction costs and provide additional value to the building's occupants by integrating functionality into building materials. Promising examples include incorporating electrical heaters into wall panels, thus removing the need for unsightly free-standing radiators. Electrical switches, wiring, lighting, and other sensor types could also be installed into wall panels prior to installation, reducing the need for individual fixings that increase costs and create visual clutter.

Heating and powering homes more efficiently is crucial in meeting CO2 emission targets since at present around 30% of emissions in developed countries come from domestic households. While clearly greater adoption of established technologies such as thicker wall/roof insulation is important, there is also plenty of scope for emerging technologies to contribute.

Excerpt from:
Smart Buildings: Another Frontier for the Digital Revolution - IDTechEx.com

Hindware 3 L Instant Water GeyserVertical3 L6.5 bar4.1: Warranty: Overall- 2 years, 5 years on tank and 2 years on the heating elementHindware 25 L Storage Water Geyser25 LVertical 6.5 bar4.2, Warranty: Overall- 2 years, 5 years on tank and 2 years on heating elementBAJAJ 15 L Storage Water Geyser (Popular Plus)Vertical8 bar15 L4.2, Warranty: Tank-5 years, Heating Element-2 years, Product-1 yearV-Guard 15 L Storage Water Geyser Vertical8 bar15 L4.2, Warranty: Overall- 2 years, 5 years on tank and 3 years on heating elementAo Smith 25 L Storage Water GeyserVertical8 bar25 L4.3, Warranty: Overall- 2 years, 7 years on tank and 3 years extended warranty on heating element.CROMPTON 25 L Storage Water GeyserVertical8 bar25 L4.3, Warranty: Overall- 2 years, 7 years on tank and 2 years on heating elementHAVELLS 10 L Storage Water Geyser (Instanio)Vertical0.8 bar10 L4.3, Warranty: Inner container-7 years, Heating Element-4 years, Product- 2 yearsBAJAJ 25 L Storage Water Geyser (Popular Plus)Vertical8 bar25 L4.3, Warranty: Tank-5 years, Heating Element-2 years, Product-1 yearHAVELLS 25 L Storage Water Geyser (Instanio Prime)Vertical8 bar25 L4.2, Warranty: Inner container-7 years, Heating Element-4 years, Product- 2 yearsHAVELLS 25 L Storage Water Geyser (Instanio Prime)Vertical8 bar25 L4.2, Warranty: Inner container-7 years, Heating Element-4 years, Product- 2 years

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Here are the best water heaters/geyser for home you can get this winter season - Business Insider India

Shipping containers have a lot of uses outside of getting goods around the world on the backs of ships, trucks and trailers. But I have to admit, I havent thought about the potential of using one as a custom camper. Now for just $4,000, you can have a 10-foot container turned into a discount travel trailer, if thats your jam.

I love the concept of using something for a purpose other than it was originally constructed for. I write a lot about old school buses, box trucks and transit buses now living new lives as homes on wheels. A similar thing happens with shipping containers. Some people repurpose shipping containers into stylish modern homes while other build storage complexes out of them.

But I hadnt considered posting up at the local KOA with a tiny shipping container bolted to a trailer.

The seller of this 2019 Custom Camper on RVT says that this travel trailer would be perfect for weekend camping or use as a home base. It consists of a 10-foot shipping container riding on a twin axle trailer. These are normally 10 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet, 6 inches tall. The addition of the trailer frame makes this one a total of 15 feet long and 10 feet tall. Its dimensions are similar to that of a fiberglass camper, but thats where the similarities end.

Inside, it looks like the builder took whatever they had laying around their basement and shoved it in.

Theres a cabinet, a king-size bed and one of those propane heaters that youd usually install in a garage. Amazingly, it has some basic facilities, too. Theres a cassette toilet, sink, shower and water heater. Onboard is also 14 gallons of fresh water storage and 27 gallons of grey water.

Sadly missing is any form of air-conditioning.

The trailer its mounted to has brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system. Its said to track straight, though I cant imagine pulling a steel brick is good for fuel economy. It also weighs in at around 3,250 pounds; three times as heavy as a comparatively-sized fiberglass camper.

They say that the camper turns heads and I bet it does. Imagine waking up and seeing this next to your campsite.

I like the idea; shipping containers are a blank slate to do whatever you want. But the end result of this one leaves a lot to be desired. It would look so cool painted or wrapped to look like a Borg cube from Star Trek. But really, youd likely be better off just shoving a bed into the back of a van.

If youre undeterred, the seller wants $4,000 for it after reducing the price down from $7,500. A shipping container can be had for about half of this price on Craigslist or Facebook, so youre basically just paying for the materials used to build the thing.

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A Shipping Container Might Be The Most Bizarre Thing To Camp In - Jalopnik

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) monitors forecasts and maintains open lines of communication with the National Weather Service.

Mayor Michelle Wu today joined City officials at the Public Works yard on Frontage Road to discuss winter preparations currently underway in the City of Boston, and resources available to residents, including older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness.

I am so grateful to the team from many departments and several different cabinets that come together to ensure that our streets will be safe and that our residents will be warm, supported and connected to everything that they need, saidMayor Michelle Wu. As we continue to manage amidst a global pandemic, winter will be the next phase of how were supporting all of our residents.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) monitors forecasts and maintains open lines of communication with the National Weather Service. OEM also works across City departments and with external partners to ensure coordinated response plans are in place. Residents can sign up to receiveAlertBostonnotifications by phone, text, or email in the event a snow emergency/parking ban is declared.

The Public Works Department (PWD) currently has 40,000 tons of salt on-hand to treat City streets. Along with 164 pieces of in-house snow clearing equipment, the PWD has the capability to place over 800 additional pieces on the roads during larger storms. As part of their neighborhood plowing operations during winter storms and to ensure the safety of riders following events, PWD allocates pieces of equipment to clear snow from Boston's dedicated bike lanes.

Rules on clearing snow:

Parking during a declared snow emergency:

Trash and recycling:

Caring for vulnerable populations:

Safety tips:

Dress for the weather:

Watch for signs of frostbite:

Watch for signs of hypothermia:

Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants:

Heating safety:

Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold:

Emergency home repair resources:

Tips to increase home energy efficiency:

Tips for what to do before a power outage:

Tips for what to do during a Power Outage:

Tips for Driving in a winter storm:

For more information, please visit theWinter in Boston guideand follow@CityofBostonon Twitter.

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WE DONT REALLY like to think about issues involving our wastewater. Yet, these issues are more regularly coming up to the surface in both a political sense and, more unfortunately, a literal one.

Globally, over four billion people use sanitation facilities that lack adequate wastewater treatment, which results in the contamination of the environment and a severe risk to public health. Ireland is no exception.

We have recently suffered a wave of swimming bans following summer heavy rains. This is a result of ageing wastewater infrastructure such as sewers and treatment plants incapable of supporting population growth and the impacts of climate change.

Irelands means of treating wastewater can be divided into two main types. The first is a centralised system in large urban areas such as Dublin where wastewater mostly flows by gravity across the city and ultimately arrives in facilities like Ringsend where it is stored and treated to remove harmful pathogens, using a lot of energy in the process.

A major concern is the collection systems where rainfall runoff from urban environments end up in the sewer, akin to safety releases, during high rainfall events. When this happens, diluted untreated sewage is released into rivers and bays due to rainwater drains overflowing into the sewers.

Sludge from household septic tank being emptied Source: KaliAntye via Shutterstock

Septic tanks across the island

The second form of treatment for wastewater is on-site or decentralised systems. Due to our sparsely-populated rural areas, we have one of the highest proportions of households around 489,000 in Europe using on-site domestic wastewater treatment systems.

The most common system is a septic tank, which separates wastewater of heavier solids and fats. Following this separation, wastewater is dosed underground into the soil along specially made trenches filled with gravel. Bacteria attached to the gravel and soil naturally treat wastewater as it percolates down to the underlying groundwater.

In my professional experience, if these systems are built according to the EPA code of practice, they should be considered an effective nature-based solution to on-site wastewater treatment. The key issue, however, is that much of the function takes place underground, so it is hard to know if these systems are functioning adequately.

Local authorities do inspect these systems, but with so many systems, and an average inspection rate of 1,000 per year, it will take nearly half a millennium to look at the systems currently in operation.

Aerial view of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, August 2020 Source: 4H4 Photography

Solutions to our sewage problem

One thing you come to understand when working in this area, is that there is more than one solution to the sewage problem.

Centralised systems such as those in Dublin are crucial as they treat high volumes of sewage on relatively little land but they do use a great deal of energy to do so.

These facilities could be aided by improvements in rainwater capture reducing the impact of climate change on our drainage network and improving our overall water supply.

On-site wastewater systems, if installed adequately, can also offer a low cost and low-energy alternative to smaller populations currently relying on septic tank systems. A good example is the integrated constructed wetland system at Castle Archdale in Co Fermanagh.

The system consists of a series of artificial wetland ponds over a three acre site, using natural processes with plants and bacteria to clean the wastewater. This system has a treatment capacity of 1,000 people and has resulted in a 100% reduction in electricity usage compared to the now decommissioned wastewater treatment plant.

These systems require little maintenance or technical labour in the long-term. They also have a natural aesthetic value with an abundance of plant life that starkly contrasts the typical austere or brutal facades of wastewater treatment plants.

Aeriel photo of Castle Archdale Treatment System Source: NI Water

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There are already examples of such systems in the Republic of Ireland, including Dunhill in Co Waterford, Glaslough in Co Monaghan, Clonaslee in Co Laois and Lixnaw in Co Kerry. Archdale Castle should inspire us to further develop more systems in the south.

The treatment capacity of a system like Archdale Castle could satisfy the needs of 569 of our 846 population centres accounting for nearly 250,000 people. It may not always be cost effective to replace an existing system with these natural process alternatives, but with 32 sites still pumping raw sewage into the environment daily, there is good reason to examine their potential.

Systems like Archdale would have the capacity to treat 15 of these sites, with minimal need for technical staff and energy to run them. These systems could also be adapted to more densely populated urban areas to passively treat wastewater before arriving at Ringsend and relieve some of the strain on the facility.

If we dont want to drown in our own misfortune, it is crucial that we collectivise our waste management, with the added bonus of diversifying our treatment methods and incorporating nature-based processes with minimal impact on the environment.

Alejandro Javier Criado Monleon is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Civil Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. His background is in public health, disease surveillance, water, wastewater, and microbiology. His current work focuses on the soil microbiology in on-site wastewater systems.

EMPTY THE TANK INVESTIGATION

Do you want to know more about Irelands aging wasterwater system?

The Noteworthy team wants to investigate if there are sufficient enforcement resources available to local authorities to ensure that septic tanks are safe and that contents are disposed of in a safe and regulated way..

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Lets not waste an opportunity: Nature-based solutions to our wastewater woes - thejournal.ie