BRIAN Riley from Kloof is an inventor of a gutter which he believes could solve all water shortage problems in South Africa.
The gutter is made of a plastic pipe, split longitudinally and slid onto a roof, with a plastic chain on the ends which directs water into a bucket or any container.
According to Riley, the advantages of using the Riley Gutter are that it provides instant, free drinking water. Adding one teaspoon of bleach in 25 litres of water will render the water potable to water and grow plants and it may be used for cooking, bathing and washing. Minimal tools and experience are needed to install it and it is a local business opportunity.
Riley started collecting rain-water 14 years ago. He is a retired engineer, lecturer and travelling maths tutor.
Many organisations, schools and even individuals have been collecting water in bottles to send to areas in need, but Riley said buying or storing of tap water into water bottles is not the option.
“Saving rain-water is the best solution for the drought; it is free and can be saved in large quantities,” he said.
Riley said his daughter, who owns a salon, has been using the Riley Gutter for years and has saved lots of water and money: “She waters her garden, flushes the toilet and does a lot with the rain-water before using the water from her tap,” he said.
Riley also has a dream to build an orphanage. “With the money that I make through the Riley Gutter project, I am hoping to build a home for disadvantaged, orphaned children,” he said.
Brian Riley can be contacted on 083 233 7482.