You can't visit Bermuda without noticing the white roofs on the homes, be they cottages or mansions. The consistency of the pastel-walled houses topped by pitched white roofs is charming and picturesque. Especially because the roads on the carefully landscaped island are often winding.
On the drive to Cambridge Beaches Resort I asked my taxi driver why all the roofs were white. He explained that it was to reflect the heat in part, but also the painted, slab-stepped limestone roofs were constructed and treated for the collection of rain water. The water runs down the roof to concrete troughs that channel the water into pipes that lead to a cistern for collecting and storing the water under the house.
I learned later that the roofs are periodically treated with bleach (about once every two years) and then coated with a cement and acrylic blend that includes a fungicide. Historically the roofs were lime washed.
How clever, I thought. Why don't we use that technique everywhere? I remembered at this point that cisterns were big in Florida during the early pioneer days. The old sugar plantations often have them, and vestiges of them remain in historic homes. They were used in other states as well.
Why don't we collect water from our roofs today? Probably for the same reason most of us don't hang out our laundry anymore. It works, but it's more trouble and time consuming. Bermudians don't have a choice because water resources are limited. As Florida and other states struggle with water shortages, who knows, cisterns on the mainland may come back into vogue.
Bermuda doesn't totally rely on its cisterns I learned when I returned home. While the cisterns easily supply the residents' water needs during most of the year, the summer high season brings a tourist influx that outstrips supply. During such times water from deep wells is trucked around the island.
I have to say I was a bit hesitant about drinking the water before I was assured by residents that it was perfectly safe, and that tourists can drink it without ill effect. It tastes perfectly fine, and there's something special about knowing you're drinking water that has been naturally processed by evaporation and condensation.
Great post. I was looking for a detailed description of how this works. Thanks for putting this together. We also stayed at Cambridge and loved it. Can't wait to go back.
Posted by: Scott | 09/18/2009 at 08:01 AM
Great Post. I read all the deails you have given. It was very nice to read. Now i can't wait more to go there. Let me check ticket on LMT.
Posted by: London Hotels | 11/14/2009 at 01:16 AM
Nice one! We have been to celebrate our new year in Bermuda. We stayed at Cambridge Beaches Resort. This is a excellent, peaceful and fascinating place to relax. All the personnel are very friendly and diligent, best dinning throughout the day our room was beautiful and very comfortable. This resort offers wide variety of activities, this was one of my great resort experience.
http://www.travelworth.com/cambridge-beaches-resort-spa-bermuda.html
Posted by: Robinsonketty | 02/01/2011 at 11:33 PM