One of the most attractive visuals on the picturesque island of Bermuda are the white roofs of the pastel colored homes that dot the landscape. Did you also know that the white roofs provide a critical function in the habitation of this Atlantic island? The scarcity of fresh water has made them a necessity and they are a vital part of a water collection system that provides the majority of the domestic water consumed.
Bermudian roofs are built in a terraced fashion with gutter ridges funneling water toward pipes leading to an underground tank known as a cistern. Roofs are made of limestone blocks and sliced into individual slates after which several layers of cement whitewash is applied. The white cement wash is a paint and lime powder mixture that sanitizes the rainwater as it runs off into the holding tank.
The whitewash is applied to rootops every 3 to 4 years and coupled with an occasional roof top cleaning are all that is necessary to keep this water collection system in operating shape. Inhabitants of Bermuda have been collecting water in this fashion for hundreds of years.
Several Bermuda residents I spoke with commented that the water has a sweet flavor as compared to our stateside water that has a discernible flouride taste. And there are no government mandated inspections for water qualty in this environmentally friendly water system!
Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086
