This inisiative result in the improvement in the water quality. It will surely establish a platform for job creation and it will also contribute towards altering climate change.

Nedbank put it’s  money where it’s mouth is; they have had a 17% reduction in their own water consumpion. Now they are also encouraging other corporates to take a stand and take a role in putting conservation and contribution towards it, on the map.

Go to the link below to read all about Nedbank’s Water Stewardship Programme:

http://www.nedbank.co.za/website/content/watersteward_programme/index.asp

To quote Nedbank: “It’s only a water shortage if we do nothing to change it.”

where more stringent water restrictions will be imposed .

Major Storage Dams supplying the Metro

Dam                  Capacity              Volume of water

Kouga                  37,5%                 48 217 Ml

Churchill              30,9%                 11 002

Impofu                19,0%                 18 658

Loerie                 37,8%                   1 482

Groendal             67,2%                   7 826

Total                                                87 185 Ml

Average daily consumption for the period 19 April to 30 April 2011 was 238 Ml

Average daily consumption for April was 245 Ml

Our target is to remain under 250 Ml per day

Make use of Water Rhapsody’s unique water conservation systems to minimize your daily consumption. Have a look at our systems on the Product Demonstration Page. Contact us for more information or a quotation.

What is it going to take to stop the plans to threaten our sensitive Karoo region from being destroyed by Shell’s plans to blow it apart in search of natural gas?

A controversial application by oil giant Shell to explore for gas in an area of the Karoo should be put on hold, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday. The opposition party warned that exploration would involve processes that risked contaminating surrounding bodies of water, but Shell countered that processes were in place to prevent this happening.

In a letter to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Water, Ms Edna Molewa, Mr Gareth Morgan questioned whether the minister “has the ability to assess the efficacy or appropriateness of these activities at this stage.”

Clearly, it is incumbent that all who know or care about the future of Karoo life should participate as much as possible to ensure that responsible decisions are taken at high level.

He emphasised the serious threat to the rare water resources of this region, due to

• the large quantities of water needed for this fracking process, as “each fracking event uses at least 15 million litres of water and each well can be “fracked” several times”…  I am not sure how many wells Shell would drill if granted the exploration right, but it could be hundreds as they could explore for up to nine years” and
• the threat of ground water contamination. “There is then an attempt to fracture the rock using a high pressure flow of liquid, including water, sand and so-called ‘special-purpose’ chemicals.”
• “The Environmental Protection Agency in the USA has begun a two year study on the possible relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water following concerns reflected by the US Congress about the process in its 2010 budget report. If a country like the USA, with immensely more technical capacity than our own country, is concerned about “fracking” then we should be too. Added to that there is a moratorium on “fracking” in New York State and apparently over 160 municipalities in the USA have banned “fracking” through local by-laws.”

In a letter we’ve received from Dr. David Gaynor, manager of the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve in the Graaff-Reinet, he also looks at the threats to livelihoods and the desertification of the Karoo:

Short-sighted profits rule

“Fracking for gas is not appropriate development for the Karoo. The exploitation of natural gas through hydraulic fracturing threatens the Karoo’s  most valuable resource – clean, uncontaminated water. The granting of exploration permits to Shell and other companies to search for gas in the Karoo will pitch the short-term profits of mining a fossil fuel against the risk of permanently contaminating the scarce water resources of the Karoo.

The gas, a mixture of methane and other gases might be cleaner burning than oil or coal in terms of some pollutants, but produces the same amount of carbon dioxide meaning that it will be a significant contributor to global warming. Each commercial well will probably only produce for 10 -15 years and create very few local jobs. Most of the profits will go into the multinationals pockets and any long-term problems will be left to the inhabitants of the Karoo to live with.

10 million litres of water each time

Initial exploratory drilling will require up to 10 million litres of water, with around the same amount being needed for each hydraulic fracturing of the underground rock. Not only does this water have to be sourced, but it is then mixed with a toxic cocktail of chemicals to aid the drilling and fracturing process.

Most of this contaminated water will be pumped to the surface and will have to be safely stored and treated. Significant amounts of this polluted water will remain underground and could potentially infiltrate underground water sources.
Underground water is the life blood of the Karoo. It is scarce, but if utilized wisely it underpins all sustainable development in the Karoo. It supports the cattle, sheep, wildlife, lucerne and other pasture Lands – the main economic activities in the Karoo. It supplies clean water to the towns and growing townships, whose existence is dependent on clean water and the income from livestock farming, hunting and tourism.

Livelihoods threatened

Are the risks of permanently contaminating the one thing essential for life and livelihoods in the Karoo – Water – worth the short-term and limited local benefits of mining a fuel that will only contribute to global warming?

The best regional models for global warming indicate that with continued use of fossil fuels the proposed area of mining will by 2040 experience conditions so hot and dry as to be only comparable with the Namib desert. It would be ironic if this degradation was fuelled by the exploitation of gas reserves in the very same area, especially when this area has so much potential for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

The government has promulgated feed in tariffs that ensure that companies like Shell can invest, assist development and make money from renewables rather than relying on the old carbon economy to make money for their shareholders.

There is currently a public participation process, as Shell needs to consult with all interested in affected people and compile an Environmental Management Plan, before they could be awarded this right.”

Shale gas is natural gas stored in rocks that are rich in organic material such as dark colored shale.

Matthew Du Plessis: “Fracking” doesn’t mean what it used to mean. In the good old days, it was a wholesome substitute for an unprintable expletive – used to its highest glory and fullest effect in the television series Battlestar Galactica. Hearing Starbuck curse was an object lesson in the poetry of vloeking. It was from the heart. The new meaning of “fracking” doesn’t come from the heart. Instead, it’s a punch to the gut. The word “fracking” is a convenient abbreviation of the phrase “hydraulic fracture”. I’ll tell you more about that in a second.

First, let me set the scene. Picture, if you will, the Groot Karoo. Graaff Reinet. Ostrich territory. Dusty, scrub-covered terrain. Angora goats. Sheep. Boreholes. All right. Now hold that image as you cast your mind halfway around the world to where Big Energy has turned its attention from the PR disaster in which oil is engulfed, to the relatively unexplored miracle of natural gas.  Until recently, it was very difficult to get to, but new drilling methods are able to clear a way down.

“Hydraulic fracturing” involves injecting vast amounts of chemically treated water into the cavities created in the drilling process, the pressure of which then fractures the rock formations around it, allowing the gas trapped in the shale to be harvested.

It turns out that many of the land owners who have leased their property out for this process are having a bit of a rough time. Sure, the actual equipment is about the size of a small van – hardly takes up any space at all. But it squirts some apparently rather dodgy chemicals into the ground. Which trickles down into the groundwater – and if the land is serviced by boreholes… well, you can imagine.

But if you can’t, the documentary film Gasland shows footage of people turning on the taps in their home, letting the water flow, and then bringing a lit match near to the running water. Have you ever seen running water, coming out of a tap, catching fire? Watch Gasland. In some instances, we’re talking fireballs.

In the film there’s also footage of farm and domestic animals with hair falling out, testimony from families who have developed serious and chronic illnesses, and energy executives insisting that there’s nothing wrong with the water – yet in the same breath refusing to drink any of it. Of course, the companies involved in the fracking deny there’s any risk to the public. They’ve got studies to prove the chemicals they use cause no harm to the water, the environment or to humans.

Our Karoo. Which lies atop a vast – and evidently gassy – shale formation. They’re lining up for it! Shell International and oil and gas company Falcon already have a licence to scout for gas. And potentially flood the Karoo’s groundwater with tasty chemicals.

“Serious water shortage in Grahamstown causes some areas  to have access to water only one hour per day. It is especially rural settlement Vukani that are being hit by this the worst.

During a public meeting earlier this week held by The Movement for Unemployed People, it became clear that the only hour water would be available is during the middle of the night. Around 50 people, mostly woman, from the Vukani Location attended the meeting. Prof. Denis Hughes, the Director for Water Research at Rhodes University acted as chairperson for the meeting. Both the Makana Municipality’s municipal manager, Me. Ntombi Baart and Mr. Dabula Njilo, director of Technical and Infrastructural Services were expected to attend the meeting to explain to the public what the state of the situation is, but none showed up.”

Die Burger, 26 Nov’10 – Anna-Karien Otto

Let this not be said from your town one of these days. Try to start changing your lifestyle and think different about water and the usage thereof. Contact Water Rhapsody to give you a quote on greywater re-use, recycling your pool’s backwash water, saving the amount of toilet flushing-water, being prepared to harvest rainwater etc. Do what you can NOW, to help prevent a miserable future for you and our country.

But in this time of drought when green citizens are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, water tanks have once again become a household fixture – and for more than just environmental reasons. A water tank is good for the environment, yes, but is also good for your lifestyle and your hip pocket. Here are some good reasons to install a water tank at your home or business:

1. Save water

Water shortages resulting from the drought have made it more important than ever to conserve the water we have. South Africa receives from the least rainfall of all inhabited continents and water is the most valuable resource we have – we need it to live!

2. Keep town drinking water for drinking

Instead of wasting fresh drinkable water on the garden, to wash the car or flush the toilet, installing a tank means less precious drinking water will be lost through activities such as these, and more will be available for us to drink.

3. Beat water restrictions

Water restrictions have been imposed across South Africa, limiting the amount of water used for non-essential activities. A water tank will give you the freedom to use your own collected water without having to tap into the town supply. This means you can choose to use your water for a greener lawn, cleaner car or to fill up the swimming pool when it’s hot.

4. Save money in the future

Once the initial expense of the water tank has been borne, you can save money on all future water bills. As our population grows and water becomes scarcer, it is probable that the cost of water will rise, so you can be protected from these costs by collecting your own water.

5. Collect your own drinking water

If you’re worried about chemicals added to the town water supply, a water tank could be the solution for you. Forget about buying expensive bottled water, you can collect your own fresh water for drinking purposes in a tank.

6. Make a statement

Modern water tanks come in a variety of colours, styles, sizes and materials to suit you.

Introduction

The rainfall climate of South Africa is one of great variability. Seasonal rainfall percentage deviations since 1960 demonstrate wide fluctuations about the long-term average and it is in this context that large rainfall deficits must be assessed. Between July of 1960 and June of 2004, there have been 8 summer-rainfall seasons where rainfall for the entire summer-rainfall area has been less than 80% of normal. A deficit of 25% is normally regarded as a severe meteorological drought but it can be safely assumed that a shortfall of 20% from normal rainfall will cause crop and water shortfalls in many regions accompanied by social and economic hardship.

Discussion

All but the south-western and southern regions of South Africa rely on summer rainfall, which normally falls between October and March, the summer season. Rainfall is heaviest in the east and decreases westward. For convenience the rainfall season is taken to run from July until June of the following year, but rainfall outside of the summer season is usually insignificant.

The consequence of rainfall being confined to six months of the year is that most crops can only be grown during this period. Similarly, the recharging of water resources is also confined to these crucial six months. When the seasonal rainfall is seriously below normal, crop yields are poor and ground and dam water levels fall dangerously low. Should these conditions occur in swift succession, as in the periods from 1964 to 1970, 1991 to 1995 and again from 2002 to 2005, there is insufficient time for natural resources and the economy to recover from each rainfall-deficit period.

Simultaneous to low rainfall are cloud-free skies and high temperatures. The effect of abnormally high temperatures is an increase in evapotranspiration as well as stress on plants whilst further depleting surface-water reserves through evaporation.

Impacts

The most serious impact, other than dwindling water supplies, is the effect on staple crops and, ultimately, commercial crops. In 1992/1993, undoubtedly one of the most widespread droughts of the last 45 years, maize had to be imported to South Africa (as well as the rest of southern Africa). The knock-on effect of crop failure could be seen in the population drift from rural areas into the cities, farm labour lay-offs and farm closures as well as an increasing indebtedness in the agricultural sector.

Other serious impacts brought about by drought are the devastating veld fires which destroy large areas of grazing at a time when grass is in short supply. Commercial timber and orchards are also prone to damage at such times. In 1992 there were several huge fires which destroyed thousands of hectares of grassland. In one of the worst events, during August, at least nine people perished. In 1994, a combination of unusually strong winds and very dry conditions saw large areas of grazing and timber destroyed. Again, in July of 2002, Mpumalanga was devastated by fires that destroyed 24,000 ha of pasture and left four people dead and damages amounting to more than R32 million.

Severity of Recent Droughts

It is very difficult to look at the entire summer-rainfall region and deduce that drought affected all of these areas equally. On the contrary, some of the provinces in South Africa appear to suffer more harshly than others at times of rainfall deficit.

The outlook for the coming months is not predicted to be entirely favorable either:

• May, June and July: 45 – 50% probability of below normal rainfall
• June, July and August: 40 – 45% probability of above normal rainfall
• July, August and September: 40 – 45% probability of below normal rainfall

Even though the possibility of good desirable rainfall is not showing a colourfull picture, be prepared for rainfalls, whether heavy or not. Contact Water Rhapsody for a no-obligation quote on Rainwater Harvesting and installing a uninterruptable pressure water supply. Become independent from the munisipality water supply and help them in the need to provide enough water to the whole of the Eastern Cape. Re-use your greywater for irrigation or toilet flushing. Make use of what you have and pay for already. The future is unpredictable, but does’nt seem rosy. Be prepared.

Instant panic! Immediate thoughts would turn to your family and home. The taps would open, but nothing would come out, there may be a little water left in your kettle, and some in your geyser. Then you may hear the news that the city will be out of water for a month. More panic, but what to do about it.

First things first. You need water to drink. You race off to the shops, only to find a long queue, patiently and some not so patiently waiting to buy bottled water. You may be among the lucky ones that get in first. I once saw people in a holiday town, fight at the Spar for a limited number of Bread Rolls that were becoming available. Imagine if the scarce resource were water!

Then you would think of a longer term plan. Get a water tank. Quickly! So you could harvest any coming rain off your roof. But think about this. There are only about 140,000 water tanks made each year in South Africa. And we have a population of about 50 million. So there would be a mad scramble for water tanks until they were sold out.

Isn’t it just more sensible to buy a water tank, get it installed by Water Rhapsody with the necessary filters, so that in the unlikely event of your town running dry, for whatever reason… you and your family will have some degree of protection? Contact us to get a quote to install a water tank now and protect your most important assets, your family.

Posted by Water Rhapsody