Rainwater Harvesting
It is now viable to harvest rainwater for your whole household. This includes rainwater harvesting, storing and pumping rainwater for bathing, showering, toilet flushing, pool, laundry and irrigation. Rainwater harvesting together with other Water Rhapsody products can save up to 90% of your water bill.
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Tag Archives: Water Restrictions
Eastern Cape Dam Levels
Dam Levels of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole as on 16 May 2011 Dam 03/05/2011 11/05/2011 16/05/2011 Kouga 37.5 44.09 46.82 Churchill 30.9 32.89 34.03 Impofu 19 27.53 27.99 Loerie 37.8 62.46 70.23 Groendal 67.2 101.73 100.76
Eastern Cape Dam Levels
Average level of major supply dams for Nelson Mandela Bay increased slightly The average level of major storage dams supplying the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality increased by 3% after good rain fell in the city’s catchment areas. On Friday the average dam level was 31,1%. The dam levels have shown an encouraging move upwards by 3% with a possibility of more from runoff after the good rainfalls over the last few days . Remember though we have not made it through the woods yet….instead of being 2 weeks away from the next phase of restrictions (before the rain) , we are about 8 weeks . However , the water situation is a long term project and the history of this area`s water supply makes it clear that we need to be vigilant at all times…..the effective use of water must always be applied , even if the dams are full !The inflow into our dams may result in a further increase of dam levels later this week. It is important to note that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is currently busy with the implementation of the R450 million upgrade of the Nooitgedacht Low level scheme to allow for an additional 70 Ml water to be … Continue reading
EC Rainfall figures 09 May 2011
Here is the latest rainfall figures for the last 24 hours as on 09 June 2011 Dam levels wil be updated in the days to come. Our client’s tanks are overflowing and they will not use any municipal water for some time to come. EASTERN CAPE ADDO ELEPHANT PARK 26 ALL SAINTS AWS 07 BISHO 55 BUFFELSFONTEIN 04 CAPE ST FRANCIS 87 DOHNE – AGR 33 EAST LONDON WO 27 ELANDS RIVER-BOSBOK RAND 89 ELLIOT 06 FLOWER RESERVE ARS 75 FORT BEAUFORT 43 GRAHAMSTOWN 34 JOUBERTINA AWS 33 KLIPPLAAT ARS 03 KRIEGERS KRAAL ARS 26 NGQURA (COEGA) 56 PATENSIE 28 PORT ALFRED – AIRPORT 24 PORT ELIZABETH – RIVERSTONE BRIDGE ARS 63 PORT ELIZABETH AWS 38 PORT ELIZABETH-LOVEMORE RES ARS 66 QUEENSTOWN 21 SOMERSET EAST 09 TSITSIKAMMA 68 UITENHAGE 125 UMTHATHA WO 32 WILLOWMORE 03
Water Restrictions 2012
Read this interesting views and motivation for the Water Rhapsody Systems by Jeremy Westgarth-Taylor. Most of the facts are also applicable to the situation in the Eastern Cape. “Does it take a genius to predict drought? While the fear of water restrictions work in favour of those of us who are involved in water conservation, it would be preferable for all of us to have smoothed restrictions rather than an all or nothing scenario. All of us mean the population at large, the municipality, the Department of Environmental Affairs as well as Water Rhapsody. Please let me explain?
Posted in Dam Levels, Rainwater Harvesting, Water Conservation, Weather
Tagged Dam Levels, Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, Desalination Plant, Drought, Eastern Cape, Jeremy Taylor, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions, Water Rhapsody, Water shortage, Water sources, Water Stress, Water tanks, Water Tariffs, Yes Solar
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Grahamstown: Limited Water
“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 … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Green, Grey Water Recycling, Rainwater Harvesting, safe water, Solar Energy, Solar Geysers, Water Conservation, Water Tanks, Weather
Tagged drought disaster area, Grahamstown, Greywater re-use, Natural Resources, Rainwater Harvesting, Saving water, Solar geysers, Vukani Location, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions, water safe, Water Stress, Water tanks, Yes Solar
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Metro faces severe restrictions – Car washes under the loop.
The necessity of saving water is still in our faces, just as we thought it might be the beginning of the end with the resent rains we had. But just the opposite is becoming a reality. At Water Rhapsody, we want to urge the public to start another thinking mode than what they were used to. Not just during or because of restrictions, but as a general way of thinking. Let us not be so narrow minded, that the availability of water are no concern to us at this stage of our lives, and we think we will be gone by the time it really becomes a problem. We have a system called the Poseidon Advantage, where the grey water from car washes are going through a cleaning process, and re-using the same used, but clean water to wash the cars again. Car washes are being targeted to invest in systems to conserve water, for their demand of washes might increase significantly during these droughts. Have a look at this article in the Port Elizabeth Express by Monique Vermeulen on the 3rd of Nov: Despite much need rain over the last three weeks, the region’s water crisis continue to worsen … Continue reading
Posted in Energy Saving, Green, Rainwater Harvesting, safe water, Water Conservation, Water Tanks
Tagged Car Wash, Car Washes, Dam Levels, Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, Eastern Cape, Natural Resources, Rainwater Harvesting, Saving water, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions, Water tanks, Yes Solar
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Phosphate in Washing Powder destroy Water Eco Systems.
Phosphate is a nutrient that is essential for plant growth and is found naturally in the environment. But the excess use of phosphates by humans is overloading our water bodies, which can lead to toxic algal blooms. Have a look at this video to see the effects of overloading our environment with phosphates usually used in washing powders on a daily basis. Use our Eco-friendly Products links to find out more about phosphate-free detergents. Also read this very informative post on Eco-friendly Laundry: http://www.watersafe.co.za/2010/03/10/eco-friendly-laundry/
Why would I install a Water Tank when there is no rain?
This is a good question. Obviously a rainwater tank will not help if there is no rain at all. The thing is that most true drought occur inland whereas most of the population lives near the coast where it does rain. Sure we sometimes have dry seasons where we get below average rainfalls but even if you were to receive half of the average rainfall it should be enough to keep your tanks full for most of the year, if not all of it. This of course depends on the size of your rainwater tank and how much water you use but providing you have a reasonable size tank you should be right. Rainfall from 1990 – 1999 In Port Elizabeth 1990 441.8 Avg 569.41 1991 451.7 Lowest 441.8 1992 619.5 Highest 772.4 1993 638.7 1994 620.3 1995 513.1 1996 772.4 1997 539 1998 602.1 1999 495.5 For example, if you live in Port Elizabeth, where water restrictions are amongst the most severe the lowest rainfall in recent years was around 400mm, as shown in the table above for the years from 1990-1999. With a roof harvest area of 200 square metres you would collect around 80 000 litres. Port … Continue reading
Port Alfred set to run out of Water
The Ndlambe Municipality has intervened to stave off an impending water disaster in Port Alfred by drastically reducing the pressure in supply pipes. The decision was taken at a crisis meeting of the Ndlambe council yesterday morning, guided by municipal experts who have warned there is less than a month of drinking water left for the Sunshine Coast town, at the present rate of consumption. It was implemented immediately from yesterday midday, according to Communications manager Khulukile Mbolekwa. A team was also set to compiling a business plan to present to the government to support a plea for urgent funding for a new disalination plant. The de-pressurisation measure has been implemented equally, across poor and affluent areas, in Port Alfred and adjoining Nelson Mandela Township, Mbolewa said. The town is an uneven area, with valleys and hills, and it is possible residents in the high-lying areas will be more challenged for supply. They will get water, but supply will be slow. Port Alfred has only about seven days for drinking water left from its main source, the Sarel Hayward Dam, situated in the catchment above Bathurst. Besides this there is a holding dam that is still full, and it will give us the extra days for the … Continue reading
Posted in Grey Water Recycling, Rainwater Harvesting, Water Conservation
Tagged Bathurst, Dam Levels, Desalination Plant, drought disaster area, Greywater re-use, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Rainwater Harvesting, Saving water, Water Restrictions, Water shortage, Water Stress, Water tanks, Water usage
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Rainwater Tanks: Part 2
Trends in Water Tanks There are many styles of water tanks available, with new innovations coming out all the time. The most common types of tanks are the plastic or polymer tanks which are traditionally been round in shape. These days, manufacturers are working with rectangular or square designs which are often much easier to place within a home and look much less intrusive. These tanks are also available in a huge range of colours, so that they are able to suit any home colour scheme. Steel tanks are still common, also, and these are usually lined with polyethylene in order to prevent corrosion. While round is still the most common shape, it seems that manufacturers are finding new ways to work with steel all the time. Concrete water tanks are best if you need to locate your tank underground. As thy are load-bearing, they are great for placing under things such as driveways and entertaining areas. More foreign designs: One new innovation in water tank design is to design the tank so that it resembles a boulder or a rock. This allows the tank to be placed unobtrusively within the landscape, so that the casual observer wouldn’t even know … Continue reading
