Will global warming help groundwater supplies?
November 13, 2012South Africa: Water, water leaking everywhere
November 15, 2012
VARANASI: The geologists at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have said rainwater harvesting is the best remedy against arsenic contamination of groundwater in the city. Arsenic is highly toxic and a known carcinogenic.
“People affected with arsenic contamination are advised to maintain a nutritious diet, which is often not possible because most of them are neither health conscious nor can afford the suggested line of treatment because of extreme poverty,” said Prof RP Singh of the department of Geology, BHU.
Rainwater harvesting involves collecting water from rooftops to cement water tanks for drinking, or channeling the rain into shallow bodies or even wells dug for household use. But this will have to be combined with good sanitation practices, he said.
According to his research paper titled ‘Human Risk Assessment of Arsenic Contaminated Groundwater in India’, arsenic contamination in water is a major human health concern worldwide. The greatest threat to human health arises from arsenic in drinking water because millions of people are at the risk of drinking the water contaminated with the metalloid.
In India there is more water ingestion and its rural population is more vulnerable to the adverse affects of arsenic due to undernourishment.
Singh said sustained exposure to arsenic may lead to skin lesions, arsenicosis, melonosis, keratosis, jaundice and even cancer. Chemical precipitation was identified as being the most effective means of treatment.
Singh said that the highest arsenic concentrations in the world appear to be in the Bengal- deltaic alluvial aquifers, generally at the depth of 20-50m. Due to increased population and their need to meet their food requirements, three or more crops are harvested each year. As a result, excessive groundwater is used. Arsenic and arsenical compounds are found in effluents from metallurgical, ceramic, tanning, dyeing, pesticide, herbicide, insecticide, petroleum refining, inorganic and organic chemical industries, wood and hide preservative, copper smelting and coal combustion, especially low grade brown coal.
“We need to take up necessary measures for optimal utilization of the available water resources. The artificial recharge may be defined as augmenting the natural movement of surface water into underground formations,” said Singh.
Source: The Times of India (By RP Singh)
Rainwater harvesting is a useful way of augmenting or even supplanting water from other sources, especially where municipal water is unavailable or is contaminated. Rainwater is pure but it can pick up contaminants from the rooftops and gutters. If the rainwater is to be used for drinking, we recommend that it be appropriately filtered or at least boiled. The water tanks used for storing rainwater are also important when it comes to keeping the rainwater fresh and clean. Steel tanks can rust and concrete tanks can crack; polyethylene or plastic tanks are often the superior choice as they are also easy to install and are less costly. Choose high quality brands such as JoJo Tanks (South Africa); click on the links below to find you ideal size or water tank or rainwater tank.
JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands. See JoJo Tanks VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS. Also see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.
JoJo’s superior polyethylene plastic water tanks and steel water tank stands make JoJo Tanks the leaders in plastic water tank technology and the quality, affordability and guarantee on these water tanks make JoJo products the best choice in South Africa. JoJo’s water tanks and chemical tanks come standard with a number of features that are often lacking on cheaper/inferior plastic tanks made by other companies in South Africa.
We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa and dispatch orders directly from JoJo Tank depots to save on transport costs. Full range of JoJo Tanks products and JoJo water tanks for sale. CONTACT US for a quote on the right JoJo water tank or other JoJo product for you. Special discounts are available on multiple orders of chemical tanks and water tanks and to our commercial and government customers.
SPECIAL ON MULTIPLE ORDERS OF 10000 LITRE JOJO WATER TANKS…CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE!
(15000 litre and 20000 litre JoJo vertical water tanks also available on order)
Live in the USA and need rainwater harvesting equipment? Click HERE!
