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Cape Town’s water stocks slump to four-year low

Capetonians could face stricter water restrictions as dam levels hit a four-year low.

Low-level restrictions are already in place including a ban on watering gardens between 10am and 4pm.

Adding to the low dam levels,rainfall this year has also been below average.

A UCT climatologist said of the past 10 months,eight had had below-average rainfall. May,June and July,usually the wettest months,were “drier than normal”.

Climate models showed this situation was likely to become more common in the years ahead and it could drive up the price of water.

Residents were being urged to conserve water. This appeal comes as climate change is expected to lead to rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns.

The City of Cape Town’s water department was due to meet the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on Wednesday but has not released any details.

The city’s draft annual report says 19 percent of water was “unaccounted for”. This term refers to the difference in the amount of water purchased and in the city’s distribution system,compared with the amount which is sold to customers.

The report for the past financial year calls for measures to prepare for a “water-constrained future”. Some of the alternatives are desalination of sea water and the greater use of groundwater.

According to the draft report,some water-saving techniques are showing results. One of these is a pressure-management system which reduces the pressure of the water supplied to city consumers during off-peak periods.

This results in fewer leaks. A project like this at Brown’s Farm in Philippi produced an estimated saving of R8.2 million annually. After the project was introduced,there was an immediate drop in consumption.

Levels of the six major dams supplying Cape Town are at the lowest they have been in four years. On November 7,levels stood at 86 percent. Last year at this time they were at 93 percent and at 102 percent in 2009. Levels peaked in 2008 at 103 percent and were 99 percent in 2007.

Farouk Robertson,spokesman for the city’s water and sanitation department,said the city had “never relaxed” its appeal for residents to use water wisely.

Robertson said the city had expanded rapidly over the past few years and economic activity had increased.

This had led to more water consumption.

He urged residents to “amplify water conservation efforts”.

One tip was that residents should monitor the moisture of the soil in their gardens and,if necessary,introduce composts which would reduce the evaporation of water.

Another measure was to use buckets to wash cars,instead of hosepipes.

Robertson appealed to home-owners to watch their water meters and report leaks immediately.

“If you are wasting water,you are depriving other people of good quality drinking water. Know what you going to do,before you open the tap,” he said.

Peter Johnston,a climatologist with UCT’s Climate Systems Analysis Group,said for May,June and July,rainfall was less than 80 percent of the long-term average.

Johnston added that as December approached and it got hotter,around 1 percent of the volume of dam water would be used or lost due to evaporation each day. Because,November had been cooler,it had lessened the impact of evaporation.

“This is the sort of thing we can expect. We should get used to this scenario occurring more often and it’s a call for all us to watch our demand and usage.”

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry was not immediately available for comment.

Source:IOL

The fact that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry could not be reached may imply one of two things. They were really not available for comment,or they don’t really have the means to do much about the situation other than increase the price of water and hope people start using less.

By reusing your greywater for irrigation and fitting a Multi-flush to your toilet the average household can save up to 50% on their water. Investing in these tecnologies won’t even require a lifestyle change.

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Water Conservation –fixing a toilet leak

Water conservation is very important and Water –Use It Wisely is a great resource to learn what you can do to help. For starters,take the Home Water Challenge and find those sneaky leaks in your home.

The most common water leaks are usually the ones that you cannot see,such as toilets. A leak in your toilet can start slow and will suddenly increase your water bill. One quick way to tell if you have a leak is to listen to your toilet,if it sounds like it’s flushing on its own,then you may have a big leak. Another easy way to detect a toilet leak is to put a few drops of food coloring in your tank,wait about 15 minutes then check the bowl. If you see the color coming down in the bowl you have a leak and will need to replace the flushiung mechanism in your cistern.

Now might be the best time to repace that water wasting flush mechanism with a water efficient one (Multi-Flush from Water Rhapsody) that allows you to control the amount of water that is used to clear the toilet pan.

Water Rhapsody Multi-Flush

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Water Conservation is Everybody’s Concern

The demand for fresh water remains a concern for rural communities in South Africa. Climate change and the shortage of fresh water demand that attention be directed to water conservation.

The annual Industrial Conservancy Seminar hosted by the Richmond-Mariannhill Industrial Conservancy and the Conservancy of UKZN’s Edgewood campus on August 31 noted that water conservation should be at the top of every South African’s list of priorities. This year’s seminar was titled:“Water Quality in the time of changing climate”.

Human beings will not survive more than seven days if they do not drink. ‘Every year people die from the consequences of unsafe water…especially children under the age of five,’ said Mr Deren Coetzer from the Duzi Umgeni Conservancy Trust. He reminded delegates that water covers 70 percent of the planet;25 percent of which is fresh water and that only one percent is available for drinking. Of the one percent 13 percent is used by domestic households,19 percent by industry and 68 percent is used in agriculture.

Among other threats facing freshwater resources,Coetzer highlighted sand mining,acid mine drainage,water hyacinth – an invasive weed from South America – and global overpopulation with over seven billion people in the world.

Coetzer said South Africa should look for the cheapest,easiest and most effective means of prevention and treatment;consider the reconstruction of natural ecosystems;and capitalise on a good education system.

Manager of the Pollution and Environment Branch of the eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Wastewater Department,Mr Chris Fennemore said sanitation is the biggest issue in the city and urged citizens to take responsibility in their water use. He said there is no limit to the population and the city has a lot of sewage − a lot of water to purify.

Factors driving water quality in rivers and beaches include:waste water works,sewer networks,storm water,solid waste,electricity load shedding,informal settlements,agriculture,public perceptions and industry.

‘There will be an overall decrease in water availability,’ said Mr Gavin Heath who lectures on the Edgewood campus. Heath gave an eye-opening address on climate change titled:“The Geography of Water Supply in South Africa”. He highlighted that sea levels would rise and this would negatively impact the coast;there would be an increased occurrence and severity of veld and forest fires;and mass extinctions of endemic plant and animal species among other factors. He proposed an integrated watershed management along with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

A number of students on the Edgewood campus are passionate about conservation. First-year Bachelor of Education student,Ms Nomfundo Mhlongo was excited to present the findings of the students’ evaluation of the Upper Umbilo River.

‘We expose students to a number of environmental activities during the year. Through active participation in these activities,we strive not only to increase students’ awareness of local environmental issues,but we also encourage discussion around possible solutions,’ said lecturer and Chairperson of the Edgewood Environmental Forum,Dr Joy Coleman.

‘I think students can learn a lot from these seminars and be able to make informed decisions. Students can also spread information to others,especially here at Edgewood where most students specialise in education,’ said Mr Sthembiso Mvelase who is studying on the campus.

Source:UKZN

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New solutions for water conservation

It has become a “moral imperative”for major businesses operating in South Africa to adopt water saving schemes for their buildings,thereby helping the country sustain the declining resource.

CEO of car rental company Avis,Wayne Duvenage,did not mince his words at the Sustainable Water Resource Conference and Exhibition. The event,held in Kempton Park on 16 and 17 August,was attended by leading water experts and businesspeople and supported by the International Marketing Council of South Africa – among a range of sponsors.

Recycling water for reuse in buildings was the experts’principal recommendation. Homeowners are also advised to go for recycling technologies.

Avis saved 75-million litres of water in 2010 in its major centres in Johannesburg,Cape Town and Durban.

The Avis scheme kicked off in 2008 with a R1.9-million (US$264 000) investment,and started paying off in 2009 when the company saved 4.2-million litres.

Avis has pumped an additional R1.5-million ($208 000) into the construction of underground water filtration and recycling facilities at its three main depots. The aim is to save at least 95-million litres of water each year.

“We decided to recycle water because that was the right thing to do,”said Duvenage. “We’re recycling water that was going down the drain.”

The company reprocesses grey water from washing machines and baths,which is then used to wash most of its fleet of 20 000 rental cars,while potable water from public sources remains available to employees for hygienic use.

Harvesting rainwater is a focus of Avis’recycling efforts. “You know how much it rains in Cape Town,so it’s nice to switch off municipal water and use rainwater,”said Duvenage.

It’s always recommended for entities to study the impact of their business on the environment,he pointed out.

Conserving a precious resource

South Africa is water-stressed,experts at the conference revealed. Reports have pointed out that the country runs the risk of facing critical shortages by 2020.

“South Africa is stressed both in the quantity and quantity of water that we have,”Duvenage said.

Alison Groves,a sustainability consultant at WSP Green by Design,said:“In South Africa we need to get beyond the idea that water is always going to be available.”

New solutions are needed to sustain potable water availability,Groves added.

Her consultancy group has established itself as an industry leader in the greening of major buildings,having helped big companies such as Absa,Nedbank and Woolworths introduce water-saving and eco-friendly schemes in their properties.

Banking group Absa’s headquarters in downtown Johannesburg have been fitted with recycling and rainwater harvesting technology that allows it to save at least 43 000 litres of water every day.

Retailer Woolworths’distribution centre in Midrand,north of Johannesburg,is another facility with a large grey water reclamation system. Groves pointed out that the centre has “irrigation ensured for 10 months per year without using potable water”.

Woolworths saves R1-million ($139 000) in municipal water bills per year thanks to its recycling efforts.

Other companies,such as South African Breweries,are rolling out major water-saving schemes in a bid to help protect the precious resource.

Duvenage pointed out that “business is starting to change its behaviour”in accordance with the green revolution,but there is room for improvement. “We believe business has to act much faster,”he said.

Residences can reduce consumption

It’s not only businesses and public entities that should assume the responsibility of saving water,but homeowners can play a major role as well.

The grey water technology of Cape Town-based Water Rhapsody,a specialist water conservation company,has proven its efficiency in recent years.

Its founder Jeremy Westgarth-Taylor said that water recycled and harvested through its system is suitable for irrigation,toilet flushing,cleaning and washing.

Homes can reduce consumption from 280 litres to “as little as 100 litres per day”and save up to 90% of their municipal water bill by using the system.

“But it’s done in such a way that you don’t change your lifestyle. You just take control of your own supply,”said Westgarth-Taylor.

Water Rhapsody won the WWF Green Trust award in 1998 for product innovation. It’s helped the University of Cape Town reduce potable water consumption by over 90%.

The late Kader Asmal,former Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry,told Water Rhapsody,in a 2010 letter to the company,that its water recycling system helped nourish grass and shrubs in the garden of his Cape Town home.

Read more:http://www.southafrica.info/about/sustainable/water-240811.htm#ixzz1XLqVu4sQ

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California says yes to greywater recycling

The state Senate today passed a bill allowing so-called greywater systems in homes and commercial buildings.

The bill,AB 849,is aimed at clarifying a patchwork of local regulation that has at times prohibited these “non-potable water reuse systems,”which divert drain water for irrigation and other purposes.

If signed by the governor,the new state law would prohibit local jurisdictions from banning greywater systems,which have gained popularity as more municipalities face restrictions on fresh water. It would allow those jurisdictions to enact stricter greywater standards than those of the state only if they provide climatic,geographic and topographic reasons for the tougher regulations.

The state adopted uniform rules for installing greywater systems in 2009,according to an analysis of the bill,which was sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles).

The Assembly already has approved the bill.

Source:Los Angeles Times

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Saving Money with Water Conservation Head Sprinkler Systems

Not all lawn sprinklers are created equally. Water conservation sprinkler heads are not just a more eco-friendly option to your irrigation system needs,they are also a smart financial decision as they can actually save you money. While you may think a professionally installed lawn irrigation system is a luxury,if you are watering your lawn with a hose and sprayer or using portable sprinklers that you constantly need to move,you are losing money over the long run.
It sounds crazy,but there are actually rational answers behind why it is better to use a professionally installed water conservation head sprinkler system than a stopgap option which only appears cheaper. The technology behind water conservation head sprinklers is such that the sprinkler heads are designed to maintain a constant pressure at the sprinkler head. When you have consistent pressure you are able to produce larger water droplets. With larger water droplets you realize better coverage because you are no longer dealing with less accuracy due to over-spray.
Another way that the larger droplets produced by a water conservation head sprinkler make a difference is in the evaporation time. Larger water droplets are less susceptible to rapid evaporation than small droplets and fine spray type mists many sprinklers produce by default. Larger water droplets that are less prone to rapid evaporation seep into the soil at a higher rate which helps keep your grass green and healthy. That in turn means that you can run your sprinklers for a shorter period of time. A shorter run cycle combined with water conservation sprinkler heads saves water which saves money.

Source:Associated content

Water Rhapsody’s greywater systems use large droplet technology to irrigate. This ensures that the presious water is absorbed by the soil.

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Barrels of radioactive uranium discovered near Swakop beach

Unguarded barrels of radioactive uranium (yellow cake) have been discovered on Swakopmund beach. Near the sewerage works at Tamariskia investigators found 4 barrels.

Tests show the content to be highly radioactive. The attempt at smuggling the barrels of uranium raise serious concerns over the possible contamination of Swakop’s water systems and the security of the current mining operations.

Reports suggest that the uranium stems from Areva’s operation near Trekkopje between Usakos and Swakopmund. The value of the uranium found near Mondesa in Swakopmund is estimated at around N$700 000,though the destination of the radioactive materials was unclear at the time of the arrest of three suspects on Friday.

The capacity of the Emergency Management Unit and the local authorities to deal with a large-scale environmental disaster has been called into question.

In a related incident last year an officer of the NDF was arrested with several other operatives as they attempted to smuggle radioactive materials out of the country. These developments have frightening implications for the safety of local residents,but also raise serious questions about Namibia’s commitment to upholding the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

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Western Cape Rainfall for July 2011

With slightly less than average rain fallen over the month of July the Western Cape has still experienced a higher than average rainfall this year.

It should be noted that even with the accumulated rainfall being higher than the norm,the two bigest dams that supply Cape town are still under the 80% mark. This is the typical tell-tail signs of water restrictions over summer.

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Greywater gains traction at universities

It is encourageing to read that universities across the globe are investing in greywater systems. These systems have a double spin-offs. The one being the cost saving and the other a truely practical learning experience for every student on campus.

Greywater systems

With the increase in Universities that already have greywater systems installed,this shows that the technology is no longer only seen as an environmental/greening experiment but that the reuse of greywater is aknowledged by academia as a viable means of saving water.

Certain Univercities across South Africa have installed greywater systems so they could test the proposed saving. However,no South African University has implemented a greywater system that allows all students on their campus to educate themself,first hand,what the possible norm will be like once severe water shortages strike our country.

Click on the link to see how different universities across Amemica rank on the matter of greywater reuse.

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Dam levels around Cape Town sink lower

Four out of five major dams that supply Cape Town with fresh water are lower than they were this time last year. Of which the largest two,Theewaterskloof and Voelvlei dams are considerably lower,more than 11% and 16% respectively.

Dam	River	Last Year	Last Week	This Week
Berg River dam	Berg River	100.1	82.2	83.1
Steenbras Dam-Lower	Steenbras River	56.9	61.6	60.8
Steenbras Dam-Upper	Steenbras River	91.8	89.5	91
Theewaterskloof Dam	Riviersonderend	89.9	77.3	78.2
Voelvlei Dam	Voelvlei River	93.4	77	77.7

Unless these dams are able to rise significantly the City of Cape Town will most likely impose drastic water restrictions. Water restrictions will most likely include irrigation restrictions and carwash limitations.

A fact to remember is that should the City of Cape Town impose water restrictions in a means to conserve water supplies,water tariffs will surely skyrocket just as electricity tariffs have reached new highs.

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Water Rhapsody Conservation Systems are the leaders in Greywater garden irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting systems in South Africa. Established in 1994 with offices nation wide and over 3500 installations Water Rhapsody will be there to secure your water concerns.

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Cape Town’s water stocks slump to four-year low

Capetonians could face stricter water restrictions as dam levels hit a four-year low.

The fact that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry could not be reached may imply one of two things. They were really not available for comment,or they don’t really have the means to do much about the situation other than increase the price of water and hope people start using less.

By reusing your greywater for irrigation and fitting a Multi-flush to your toilet the average household can save up to 50% on their water. Investing in these tecnologies won’t even require a lifestyle change.

Water Conservation –fixing a toilet leak

Water conservation is very important and Water –Use It Wisely is a great resource to learn what you can do to help. For starters,take the Home Water Challenge and find those sneaky leaks in your home.

Water Conservation is Everybody’s Concern

The demand for fresh water remains a concern for rural communities in South Africa. Climate change and the shortage of fresh water demand that attention be directed to water conservation.

New solutions for water conservation

It has become a “moral imperative”for major businesses operating in South Africa to adopt water saving schemes for their buildings,thereby helping the country sustain the declining resource.

Conserving a precious resource

Residences can reduce consumption

California says yes to greywater recycling

The state Senate today passed a bill allowing so-called greywater systems in homes and commercial buildings.

Saving Money with Water Conservation Head Sprinkler Systems

Water Rhapsody’s greywater systems use large droplet technology to irrigate. This ensures that the presious water is absorbed by the soil.

Barrels of radioactive uranium discovered near Swakop beach

Western Cape Rainfall for July 2011

With slightly less than average rain fallen over the month of July the Western Cape has still experienced a higher than average rainfall this year.

Greywater gains traction at universities

It is encourageing to read that universities across the globe are investing in greywater systems. These systems have a double spin-offs. The one being the cost saving and the other a truely practical learning experience for every student on campus.

Dam levels around Cape Town sink lower

Four out of five major dams that supply Cape Town with fresh water are lower than they were this time last year. Of which the largest two,Theewaterskloof and Voelvlei dams are considerably lower,more than 11% and 16% respectively.

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Water Rhapsody Conservation Systems are the leaders in Greywater garden irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting systems in South Africa. Established in 1994 with offices nation wide and over 3500 installations Water Rhapsody will be there to secure your water concerns.﻿

Water leak SMS hotline

Archives

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Capetonians could face stricter water restrictions as dam levels hit a four-year low.

The fact that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry could not be reached may imply one of two things. They were really not available for comment,or they don’t really have the means to do much about the situation other than increase the price of water and hope people start using less.

By reusing your greywater for irrigation and fitting a Multi-flush to your toilet the average household can save up to 50% on their water. Investing in these tecnologies won’t even require a lifestyle change.

Water conservation is very important and Water –Use It Wisely is a great resource to learn what you can do to help. For starters,take the Home Water Challenge and find those sneaky leaks in your home.

The demand for fresh water remains a concern for rural communities in South Africa. Climate change and the shortage of fresh water demand that attention be directed to water conservation.

It has become a “moral imperative”for major businesses operating in South Africa to adopt water saving schemes for their buildings,thereby helping the country sustain the declining resource.

Conserving a precious resource

Residences can reduce consumption

The state Senate today passed a bill allowing so-called greywater systems in homes and commercial buildings.

Water Rhapsody’s greywater systems use large droplet technology to irrigate. This ensures that the presious water is absorbed by the soil.

With slightly less than average rain fallen over the month of July the Western Cape has still experienced a higher than average rainfall this year.

It is encourageing to read that universities across the globe are investing in greywater systems. These systems have a double spin-offs. The one being the cost saving and the other a truely practical learning experience for every student on campus.

Four out of five major dams that supply Cape Town with fresh water are lower than they were this time last year. Of which the largest two,Theewaterskloof and Voelvlei dams are considerably lower,more than 11% and 16% respectively.

Your Name:

Your Email:

Your Telephone Number:

I would like a quote on...

Contact your dealer

Water Rhapsody Conservation Systems are the leaders in Greywater garden irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting systems in South Africa. Established in 1994 with offices nation wide and over 3500 installations Water Rhapsody will be there to secure your water concerns.