South Africa has every reason to get excited about the theme of World Wetlands Day 2012. We are a worldwide tourism destination and a water-scarce country according to the statistics of the Ramsar Convention. These factors make us a prime candidate country for wetlands conservation and sustainable tourism.

1. Mondi Wetlands Programme:

A non-governmental wetland conservation programme established in 1991 – a partnership between two of SA’s largest conservation NGO’s (WESSA and WWF) together with the funding from two corporates (Mazda Wildlife Fund and Mondi Ltd).

The programme was started with the aim to raise awareness of the strategic importance of wetlands to facilitate proper management and restoration of wetlands and focuses mainly on wetlands outside nature reserves.

All parties involved are educated to bring about social change in their approach to wetlands, with emphasis also being placed on root causes of problems with solutions based on increased awareness. Mondi Wetlands Programme has changed the way government, communities and industries manage wetlands and has produced much publicity with regards to wetland conservation. The Programme will need another 5 years to ensure that government, community, and industry partners have fully integrated the wetland management into their operations.

2. Working for Wetlands programme

This was the first nation-wide government effort to restore wetlands, with employment relief programmes in mind. Working for Wetlands was established July 2000 with the main goal of restoring degraded wetlands to enhance water supplies and conserve biodiversity.

The programme functions through formation of partnerships with private sector companies in the mining and forestry industry. The success of the programme led the national government to substantially increase investment in 2004.

Priority is given to wetlands with greatest conservation and water supply implications

Activities undertaken include:

• Building concrete, gabion structures to limit erosion and restore wetland hydrology
• Plugging up artificial drainage channels which were originally dug to dry out the wetlands
• Eradicating thirsty invasive alien plants and planting indigenous species
• Creating employment & empowering disadvantaged communities
• Enhancing livestock & food production through more reliable water supply, irrigation and grazing
• Restoring traditional cultural activities like basket production from wetland plant fibres

Celebrations

There will be various events in Cape Town on Thursday, 2 Feb 2012. One might find a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium worth a visit. Two of the exhibits are based on the theme of the day: The ‘Sappi River Meander’ will explain the flora and fauna residing in the South African Wetlands and ‘The Story of a River’ will outline coastal river-mouth ecology right up to mountain catchment areas – and will highlight many of the threats facing wetlands

Source: Green Times (Katie Bell)

See Lifeline of a Healthy Ecosystem – World Wetlands Day 2012.

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial and government customers.

Tankers will provide water to Mpumalanga residents after several treatment plants were affected by heavy rains this past week, the province’s Department of Co-operative Governance said today.

Residents supplied by the Ntunda, Sibange, Langeloop and Masibekela water treatment plants would be provided with water, said spokesperson Simphiwe Kunene.

Department Head David Mahlobo and Nkomazi Mayor Thuli Khoza had conducted an assessment of flood damage in Nkomazi, he said. The areas most affected were Tonga, Block A, B and C, Masibekela, Driekoppies, Mangweni, Steenbok, Naas, and Sibange.

“Fourteen families have been affected and need reallocation, while 16 families were affected without needing to be relocated,” Kunene said.

All the families would receive food parcels and blankets. The municipality posted signs to redirect traffic on roads and bridges deemed unsafe after heavy rains on Tuesday and yesterday.

All the families would receive food parcels and blankets.

Kunene said his department would engage with the Department of Public Works and the SA National Roads Agency Limited to repair damage, such as debris and potholes caused by the flood.

The Kruger National Park was also affected, with all gravel roads closed yesterday due to flooding, SA National Parks spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said.

Camps including Biyamiti, Olifants, Crocodile Bridge, Tamboti and Imbali Concession Lodge were rendered inaccessible by the rising water. “Lower Sabie and Skukuza are cut off and precautionary evacuations [were] carried out on low lying areas, which include staff accommodation [and] river view chalets,” Thakhuli said.

Some guests had to be evacuated to accommodation outside the game reserve.

Source: SABC

Governments across the underdeveloped regions of the world are already facing the threat of water wars. We believe 2012 will be the year the world starts looking for solutions to its aqua problems.

Water will be one of the defining issues of the next half century. It’s a critical issue and this realisation will start from 2012.

There are a number of reasons why water will be so critical. Let’s start from Southeast Asia and go all the way to Africa. Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos; then there’s China, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey; then we go south to Israel, Palestine, Egypt and all the way to Tanzania. It’s a mega arc of hydro insecurity.

If water supply drops by 5% in 20-25 years in China and India, food production here will also drop, while demand would have gone up substantially. Already there are food crises. The world noticed that in 2008 when prices went up for the first time. Right now, India and China are not in the market in a big way. In another 25 years you have a possibility of these countries entering the food market as buyers. This will wreak huge havoc. This won’t take place 25 years from now; it’ll start in the next two years as people start noticing these trends. Speculation in commodities will increase substantially.

Water is already emerging as a global issue in the security debate, not in the global economic or food debate. The initial response is short sighted.

They are constantly engaged in negotiating allocation of respective shares, which actually leads to conflicts between upper and lower riparian countries. You have tensions between Turkey and Syria, Iraq; Israel-Palestine; Egypt-Ethiopia. There’s now tension between Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos as well.

Water is a resource that we cannot do without; its value politically and financially is likely to skyrocket in the coming years. The importance of becoming water self-sufficient, at least in times of water shortages, is self-evident.  Rainwater tanks and water storage tanks are a means for the average person to acquire a degree of water security and should be part of every household.

Glaciers are retreating at an unexpectedly fast rate according to research done in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca by McGill doctoral student Michel Baraer. They are currently shrinking by about one per cent a year, and that percentage is increasing steadily, according to his calculations.

Peru's Cordillera Blanca

But despite this accelerated glacial shrinking, for the first time, the volume of water draining from the glacier into the Rio Santa in Northern Peru has started to decrease significantly. Baraer, and collaborators Prof. Bryan Mark, at the Ohio State University, and Prof. Jeffrey McKenzie, at McGill, calculate that water levels during the dry season could decrease by as much as 30 percent lower than they are currently. “When a glacier starts to retreat, at some point you reach a plateau and from this point onwards, you have a decrease in the discharge of meltwater from the glacier,” explained Baraer.

“Where scientists once believed that they had 10 to 20 years to adapt to reduced runoff, that time is now up,” said Baraer.

“For almost all the watersheds we have studied, we have good evidence that we have passed peak water.” This means that the millions of people in the region who depend on the water for electricity, agriculture and drinking water could soon face serious problems because of reduced water supplies.

Source: Science Daily

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial and government customers.

The city of Cape Town’s water saving campaign encourages residents to consciously save water every day.

During summer the demand for water soars along with the high temperatures, and everyone needs to be aware of what a precious resource water is, and how to use it sparingly. 

On 30 November 2011, Executive Mayor Alderman Patricia de Lille launched the City’s water saving campaign “Keep Saving Water” at Prince George Primary School in Lavender Hill.

During the morning, to announce the campaign with a bang and remind the public that saving water is a seven-day-a-week responsibility, the South African Navy fired a seven-cannon salute, much to the children’s delight. 

At the launch of the campaign the Mayor said,

“We must look beyond the water we can see coming from our taps and think of the whole of society. If we waste water, someone will go without. And if we waste too much water, Cape Town will go without in the future. But we can take measures to ensure the future of our water supply. We can take measures to live sustainably. I appeal to everyone in Cape Town to monitor their water usage; to save water; and to prevent waste. Businesses, industries and the corporate world must also play their part. We ask all sectors of the economy to join us in this pledge and save water.”



In people’s homes, the three highest water-use areas are the garden, toilet flushing and bathing. It makes sense to save water at every opportunity and to make a concerted effort to sustain these savings. Try these water saving tips for the home to make a major impact:
• Don’t brush teeth or wash hands, dishes and plates under a running tap. Close the tap, use a plug and catch the waste water for re-use. (Closing the tap when cleaning teeth saves up to 20 litres per month!)
• Try to wash dishes only once or twice a day
• Rinse glasses, cutlery and vegetables in a basin of water, rather than under a running tap
• Regularly inspect taps for drips and repair defective taps. A dripping tap (1 drip per second) could waste up to 30 litres a day (that is equivalent to 10 000 litres a year!)
• Replace tap washers regularly and fit tap aerators to restrict and spread the flow. This saves water yet gives the impression you are using the same amount.
• Regularly inspect toilet-flushing mechanisms for water tightness, internal overflowing and repair defects promptly. A toilet leak can waste up to 30 litres an hour – check if your toilet is leaking by adding a few drops of food dye to the cistern – if the colour seeps into the bowl, you have a leak
• Don’t flush a toilet unnecessarily. Installing a water-saving device in the toilet cistern could save you up to 7 300 litres each year
• Re-use shower, bath and dish water on your garden as often as possible
• Take a three minute shower using a water-wise shower nozzle and turn off the taps when soaping. You can also save the water normally wasted waiting for the hot water to come through by catching this in a bucket to be recycled (in toilet, garden etc.) afterwards.
• Don’t run a deep bath. Share bath water and then re-use it to flush the toilet or water the garden. (A bath uses an average of 160 litres, whereas a three minute shower uses 60 litres!)
• Only use your washing machine and dishwasher on full load
• Regularly inspect for geyser overflows and repair defects promptly
• Ensure your plumbing system is regularly checked for leaks and engage a plumber when necessary
Water saving tips for the garden:
• Water your garden before 10:00 or after 16:00, and only when necessary
• Re-use your bath and sink water to water plants and lawns – professional grey-water recycling systems are also available for purchase
• Mulching flowerbeds keeps down the weeds and holds moisture in the soil for longer.
• Where possible use a mulching lawn mower. This allows clippings to be finely cut and blown back into the lawn
• Don’t cut lawns below 4 cm in length, as this reduces root depth and lawns are more likely to burn in summer
• Use an automatic shut-off nozzle on the hose when you wash the car, and use short bursts of water – this can save up to 300 litres each time
• Use a trigger nozzle on the hose when you water the garden
• Check and maintain your irrigation system regularly, to ensure no water is running to waste, or that paved areas are being watered
• Watering the garden less frequently, but deeper (for longer) encourages a deeper root system, which results in stronger plants. This practice can make water-wise plants out of most established plants
Water saving tips for the industrial and commercial sectors, and schools:
• Automatic flushing urinals are the ultimate water wasters. If they cannot be replaced immediately, turn off the water after hours and over weekends – schools doing this have saved up to R5 000 on their annual water bill
• Use a broom to sweep forecourts and other paved areas. Do not use a hose pipe for this purpose.
• Flush valves should flush for just 2 to 4 seconds and urinals for ± 6 to 8 seconds

Source: www.nedbankgreen.co.za (Martin Pollack)

Water-saving efforts should be encouraged in every town and city in South Africa and the rest of the world.  Rainwater harvesting is also an option; rainwater systems can range from a simple pipe leading from gutters to a plastic water tank to advanced rainwater systems that integrate with your existing supply.  Water tanks are also useful for storing a reserve tank of water (municipal or borehole water) in case of water supply interruptions.

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial and government customers.

South Africa’s major water and mining problems, including the threat to human health and agricultural production posed by acid mine drainage (AMD) in Gauteng, will remain as serious as ever, according to experts.

“The enormity of the AMD problem has paralysed the government,” said activist Mariette Liefferink.  “Not a cent of the R225 million allocated by Treasury to the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority early in 2011 for the immediate implementation of AMD treatment within the west and central rand of Johannesburg has been paid out.  In 2011, AMD began impacting the Cradle of Humankind.”

Government has mooted an environmental levy for mines, but has provided no further details.

In more positive news, Agri SA’s Nic Opperman said that in 2012 farmers would be able to challenge water tribunal rulings with greater confidence.  This was due to two High Court judgements in which the Pretoria High Court awarded farmers a water licence after they had been denied by the Department of WaterAffairs on racial grounds alone.

 Water consultant Carin Bosman said that the Department of Water Affairs “still cannot reliably account for who is using water and who is paying for water” and that it was likely that the department would receive another qualified audit report for 2010-2011.

“In 2012, Minister (Edna) Molewa must finally deliver on the promise to fix the department which she made when she became minister in 2010,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gareth Morgan, DA MP and spokesperson for water affairs, said that in 2012, the government was expected to clear the backlog of 700 water licence applications by mining companies.

“It will be interesting to see whether the minister of mineral resources, Susan Shabangu, formally tables amendments to the Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in 2012 with regard to the environmental authorisations of mines, and integrated licensing,” he said.

In early 2009, parliament passed amendments to the MPRDA and National Environmental Management Act with the intention of transferring environmental authorisations of mines to the minister of water and environmental affairs.  However, according to Morgan, Shabangu “never commenced the MPRDA Amendment Act”.

“Now it is strongly rumoured she wants to amend the act again to reverse the previous amendments.  The Departments of Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs and Mineral Resources are arguing their respective causes behind the scenes,” he said.

Source: Farmer’s Weekly 13 January (Sean Christie).

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial and government customers.

]]> http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2012/01/water-problems-loom-large-in-2012-worsened-by-politics/feed/ 0 http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2012/01/112-ways-to-conserve-water/ http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2012/01/112-ways-to-conserve-water/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:18:32 +0000 admin http://www.rainharvest.co.za/?p=9435 Tweet

There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

• #2

  When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

• #3

  Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.

• #4

  Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

• #5

  Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

• #6

  Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.

• #7

  Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

• #8

  Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.

• #9

  Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.

• #11

  Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

• #12

  Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.

• #13

  Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

• #14

  Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.

• #15

  Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.

• #16

  If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.

• #17

  Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.

• #18

  If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.

• #19

  We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.

• #20

  If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.

• #21

  Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it’s still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.

• #22

  When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They’re more water and energy efficient.

• #23

  Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

• #24

  Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.

• #25

  Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.

• #26

  When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.

• #27

  Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

• #29

  When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

• #30

  Walkways and patios provide space that doesn’t ever need to be watered. These useful “rooms” can also add value to your property.

• #31

  Collect water from your roof to water your garden.

• #32

  Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.

• #33

  Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.

• #34

  Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining.

• #35

  Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.

• #37

  Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.

• #38

  Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.

• #39

  When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

• #40

  Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.

• #41

  Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.

• #43

  Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

• #44

  Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.

• #45

  Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.

• #46

  Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.

• #47

  To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.

• #48

  Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.

• #49

  Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.

• #50

  Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.

• #51

  Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.

• #52

  Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

• #53

  Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.

• #54

  Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

• #55

  Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.

• #56

  Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.

• #57

  Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.

• #58

  Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.

• #59

  If your toilet flapper doesn’t close after flushing, replace it.

• #60

  Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.

• #62

  Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.

• #63

  Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.

• #64

  If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

• #65

  Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it’s time to water.

• #66

  If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.

• #67

  When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.

• #68

  When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.

• #69

  Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

• #70

  Bathe your young children together.

• #71

  Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.

• #72

  Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.

• #73

  Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.

• #74

  Wash your car on the lawn, and you’ll water your lawn at the same time.

• #76

  Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.

• #77

  Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.

• #78

  Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.

• #79

  Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.

• #80

  Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.

• #81

  If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.

• #82

  Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.

• #83

  Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.

• #84

  Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.

• #85

  Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.

• #86

  Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.

• #87

  Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.

• #88

  Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.

• #89

  Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.

• #90

  Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.

• #91

  One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.

• #93

  Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.

• #94

  Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.

• #95

  When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.

• #96

  Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.

• #97

  Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

• #98

  When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.

• #99

  Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.

• #100

  Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.

• #101

  When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

• #102

  If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.

• #103

  To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.

• #104

  While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.

• #105

  When backflushing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping.

• #106

  For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

• #107

  Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent using the garbage disposal.

• #108

  When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don’t throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.

• #109

  Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn’t allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.

• #110

  Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.

• #111

  When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.

• #112

  Look for products bearing the EPA WaterSense Label for items that been certified to save 20% or more without sacrificing performance.

Source: Water Use It Wisely

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial customers.

In an emergency, if you have not previously stored water and commercial or public sources of water are not available, drain water from your plumbing system. Unless you are advised that the public water supply has been contaminated and is not safe, open the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater and salvage the water stored in the heater. A typical water heater holds 30-60 gallons of water. Discard the first few gallons if they contain rust or sediment. Let the water heater cool before draining it from the heater so it does not scald you. Turn off the electricity or gas to the water heater to prevent the heater from operating without water. Once water has been drained into clean, sanitized containers, add 5-7 drops of chlorine bleach* per gallon of water, and stir or shake the solution to mix it. Let it set 30 minutes before use.

Emergency Outdoor Water Sources

If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these sources. Be sure to treat the water first. Additional sources include:

Rainwater, streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water, ponds and lakes, natural springs.  Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color. Use saltwater only if you distill it first. You should not drink flood water.

Hidden Water Sources in Your Home

If a disaster catches you without a stored supply of clean water, you can use the water in your hot-water tank, pipes and ice cubes. As a last resort, you can use water in the reservoir tank of your toilet (not the bowl).

Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You’ll need to shut it off to stop contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines.

To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your house at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet in the house.

To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off, and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve and turning on a hot-water faucet. Do not turn on the gas or electricity when the tank is empty.

Using Swimming Pool Water

You should always view your pool as “backup” water; keep the water treated; you never know when it will be needed! The maintenance of the free chlorine residual will prevent establishment of any microorganisms. The maintenance level should be kept about 3-5ppm free chlorine.  If other stored water stocks are not available, remove the necessary pool water and boil it or just treat with chlorine to the normal 5ppm. It is best to err on the side of caution.

Covering the pool at all times when not in use is a very good idea. Try to keep the cover clean and wash the area you put it on when removing it from the pool.

When and How to Treat Water for Storage

In an emergency, if you do not have water that you know is safe, it’s possible to purify water for drinking. Start with the cleanest water you can find and treat with one of the following methods:

• Boiling and chlorinating: Water can be purified by boiling. Boiling times may vary from state to state, depending on altitude. In Colorado, the water is safe to use once after it has been boiled for three to five minutes and has cooled. If you plan to store boiled water, pour it into clean, sanitized containers and let it cool to room temperature. Then add 5-7 drops, or 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach* per gallon of water (1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons). Stir or shake the solution to mix it. Cap the containers and store them in a cool, dry place.
• Filtering and chlorinating: You can filter water if you have a commercial or backpack filter that filters to 1 micron. These are available in sporting good stores and are recommended for use when back-packing. They are not recommended to clean large volumes of water. Filtering eliminates parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium, but it may not eliminate all bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it’s recommended that 5-7 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of chlorine bleach* be added per gallon of filtered water (1/2 teaspoon for 5 gallons). Stir or shake the solution to mix it. Wait 30 minutes before using the water, or cap the containers and store them in a cool, dry place.

*Use liquid household bleach that contains 5.25 percent hypochlorite. Do not use bleaches with fresheners or scents as they may not be safe to consume. The above treatment methods use a two-step approach so less bleach is needed, yet giardia and cryptosporidium are destroyed through boiling or eliminated by filtering. Chlorine may not be effective against these parasites. Since adding too much chlorine to water can be harmful, it’s important to be as accurate as possible when measuring.

• Distillation Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

Most water filtration devices are designed for use on microbiologically safe water. Don’t assume they are safe to use on contaminated water. Check with the manufacturer to be sure.

Use the following guidelines to determine if filtration equipment is adequate to use with microbiologically contaminated water:

Equipment that is safe to use on contaminated water is often slow, costly, inconvenient and/or high maintenance. It makes the most sense to use the filtration equipment that best meets your normal daily needs and shift to water storage or alternative methods of water treatment in times of emergencies.

Source: The National Terror Alert

The best scenario in emergency situations is to have clean drinking water stored on your property.  This water can be from a number of sources, including rainwater (filter first), broehole water or municipal water.  Plastic water storage tanks are the most cost-effective way of storing enough water to last you weeks or even months and serve as back-up in the case of water supply cuts.

Also see Emergency Water Storage: Important to consider in today’s world.

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS. 

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial customers.

We often hear that we all need to reduce our water consumption, but getting people to make a connection between their own water usage and the need for reduction can be a difficult leap. I think this graphic sums up many water facts in a way that is easy to digest and understand:

NOTE: This graphic comes from eLocal.com. I did not research the numbers, so I can’t confirm whether they are 100% accurate. I was not paid to share this graphic. I simply believe it was important to share something that so simply conveys such a broad issue.

Source: eLocal.com via green your decor

Water-saving habits combined with water-saving systems will help to reduce water shortages in countries like South Africa where water scarcity is a reality.  Saving water, like saving energy saves money too- there really is no excuse to wantonly waste water.

If you live in South Africa and need environmentally friendly water conservation and solar energy solutions, contact us for a free quote.  Our WWF award winning water systems include, rainwater harvesting systems, grey water irrigation systems, grey water recycling systems, swimming pool backwash recycling systems, toilet flush mechanisms and other water-saving devices (see product demo).

We are also authorized South African JoJo Water Tanks dealers and offer the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands. Yes Solar offers high quality solar water heaters to reduce your electricity bills by up to 40%.  Offset your carbon footprint by switching to green insurance cover, now available in South Africa!

Bicycles have been called the most efficient self-powered means of transportation. So why would anyone want a Rowbike? And, the Rowbike has been around for 15 years. Why the sudden spurt of interest on the internet?

The answer to the first question is that rowing is fabulous exercise that works the entire body; the Rowbike promises twice the workout of cycling in half the time. It isn’t about burning calories efficiently, it is about the exercise. The answer to the second is that Hammacher Schlemmer, the purveyor of overpriced junk, sent out a press release “introducing” the Rowbike.

So what is it?

I have not been on a Rowbike, but row on the water in a Hudson single in summer and on a rowing machine in winter. For transportation I cycle, so I know something of both. As everyone knows, a bike takes the linear force of a leg extending and turns it into a circular motion with the pedals. It actually isn’t all that efficient as the stroke of the leg is pretty short. However, once the force is applied to the pedals it is very efficiently transferred to the wheel.

In rowing, you get a full leg extension, from being curled up at the catch as I am here, pushing as hard as you can against the footstops. After you run out of leg you add some distance with your back and then your arms. The power is transferred to a linear action of levering those oars through the water. Logically, good rowers are tall; they get a longer stroke, which is why I am such a terrible rower. But it is still great exercise, using every part of the body. It is also really efficient, with no conversion of linear to rotary motion; it is a simple lever action with one moving part at the fulcrum of each oar.

In the Rowbike, that linear motion is transferred through a cam mechanism, converting it to rotation, but it cannot do it as efficiently as a regular bike; otherwise, getting twice the workout would make you go twice as fast and twice as far.

Rowing is also really hard to do right; if you “rush your slide” or go back to the starting position, the “catch”, too quickly, you kill the forward motion. If you use too much of your back, you can injure yourself. Rowing requires a lot of coaching if you are going to get anywhere.

The thing is pretty complicated, with the handlebars steering through cables. Scott Olson, who also invented Rollerblades, did a terrific job of engineering, managing to make a rowing machine that moves. But I suspect that for anyone other than a crazed rower who is bored looking at his speed coach display, and wants to “exercise amidst ever-changing scenery and terrain outdoors to keep workouts challenging and fresh”, you should get a bike.

But I could be underestimating it; I found one website describing a 25 year old from Toronto who rowed all the way to Halifax on one.

Source: Treehugger

The skyrocketing oil prices and resultant climbing fuel prices should be enough to make us all look at greener modes of transport, if only for the financial savings.  Bicycles are a great healthy way to commute short(ish) distances; the Rowbike may just be for you if you’re looking for rock-hard abs too!

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar water geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water heater, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorized South African JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.  Another way of reducing your carbon footprint is to switch to green insurance, now available in South Africa.