Tag Archives: Water usage

Nedbank to invest in Critical Water Catchment areas..

We as Water Rhapsody EC take our hats of to Nedbank for investing 9 million rand into South Africa’s critical water catchment areas. In their statement released 29th August’11, the investment entails funding of the removal of alien invasive species, like Black Wattle trees. This will release approximately 550 000 kiloliter per year back into some of SA’s high priority catchment areas under which the Kouga in the Eastern Cape. 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.”

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How to save water with Pool Backwashing/How to save Pool water

Backwashing is the process that thoroughly cleans the scum and debris that your filter traps during its  filter cycle by a method of reversing the flow of water from regular circulation to clean the sand . It is necessary to keep your sand clean to allow for proper water flow and keep your swimming pool clear. Backwashing usually takes about two-to-three minutes. “Every backwash of two to three minutes will use between 200 and 900 litres of water” Stop throwing your pool backwash water away!

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Domestic Water Consumption

 These graphs is an indication of the average persentage of water used domestically. Even though a person can not live without water, drinking water takes up only 1-2% of our total water consumption. A bath 120-200l per use, a shower 60-80l, washing mashine 70-120l, and toilet flushing 6-12l. Even though we can save on the amount of water we use daily, for example showering only 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes, we will still need our water for these daily routines and necessities. Therefor, by only installing the Water Rhapsody Garden Rhapsody and Multi-Flush, you will re-use your grey water to irrigate your garden, and you will use much less water needed to flush your toilets with. See Graph below for percentage savings. Contact us for quotations on installing these systems.  

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Save on your toilet water consumption

The Water Rhapsody Multi –Flush is a system designed to minimize the water required to flush. The generic name for this is an interruptible flushing system, which incorporates various styles of being able to interrupt the flow. This means that as soon as you release the flushing handle of whichever sort, the flushing stops immediately. In other words, its allow you to use the smallest amount of water necessary to leave the bowl clean and clear. The advantage of the Water Rhapsody Multi-Flush is that one can re-start the flushing at any stage as long as the cistern still contains water. Save up to 70% of your toilet water consumption. Have a look at our demonstration model below: On the left side is a normal 9l cistern after a normal pull of the handle, using all water in the cistern to the bottom. On the right side is the same size toilet, retrofitted with the Water Rhapsody Multi-Flush. The toilet was flushed once for as long as it was needed. On the 9l toilet, this toilet could be flushed 4 times until the cistern was as empty as the one on the left. This should explain enough for itself. Imagine … Continue reading

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Water a commodity or a resource?

This is all about water, the stuff we drink, wash in, use it as a medium to carry away our urine and fecal matter, and irrigate our gardens.  Furthermore industry and commerce use evaporation of water for cooling in air conditioning plants, and a whole host of other uses. When referring to water do we know the difference between water as a commodity and resource?

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Hydraulic Fracturing planning in the Karoo

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, has been used since the 1950s to stimulate oil and gas wells. The process involves pumping a sand-laden slurry into a well and subjecting it to enough pressure that the rocks in the productive formation fracture, or break. The purpose of the sand is to prop open the fracture, so it stays in place. The carrying fluid can then flow back out of the well, along with oil and gas if it’s been a successful frac. The technique of hydraulic fracturing is used to increase or restore the rate at which fluids, such as oil, gas or water, can be produced from a reservoir, including unconventional reservoirs such as shale rock or coal beds. Hydraulic fracturing enables the production of natural gas and oil from rock formations deep below the earth’s surface (generally 5,000-20,000 feet or 1,500-6,100 m). At such depth, there may not be sufficient porosity and permeability to allow natural gas and oil to flow from the rock into the wellbore at economic rates. For example, creating conductive fractures in the rock is essential to produce gas from shale reservoirs because of the extremely low natural permeability of shale. The fracture provides a conductive path connecting a larger area of the … Continue reading

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Water Rhapsody Ecopreneur talks to World Leaders

Werner Neuhoff, Ecopreneur from Water Rhapsody- South Africa, will be  joining leaders from 70 nations in Montréal, Québec  during 13-15 October for a World Leadership Conference that will draw women heads of state, corporations and enterprise, as well as members of the diplomatic community, women policy-makers, decision-takers and opinion-leaders on five continents. An anticipated 800 – 1,000 leaders for this global dialogue that will focus on Water, Wealth & Power for  the Eco-Century. As we confront a growing scarcity of the world’s most indispensable resource, the International Women’s Forum (IWF) will convene in Canada  (13-15 October 2010)  to explore and better understand what’s at stake — drawing together from our global membership, leaders of influence from outside the traditional realm of the “water community”. Hearing from the world’s leading experts, advocates and catalysts for change who will address the World Conference, their global membership will be challenged to test the boundaries of possibility for a new era of improved access to and utilization of water resources. Werner Neuhoff, a South African born entrepreneur, would be presenting to this global audience on October 15, 2010 at 8:35 am in Montréal for the Plenary Program – Ecopreneurs: The Blue Gold Rush. The … Continue reading

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What kind of droughts does South Africa experience?

A brief synopsis of drought in South Africa since 1960 -2005 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 … Continue reading

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Use a Water Tank for your Garden

 Using rainwater tanks is the perfect way for you to create the garden of your dreams and keep it green all year round. One of the biggest drains of a city’s water supply can come from people using their water for gardening. Most people enjoy the look of beautiful lawns and lush gardens, however this is using precious water that is needed for bathing, cooking or drinking. Gardens account for most of the water used in the home and is therefore the biggest domestic contributer to the water shortage. No matter what type of water problems you are experiencing and whether you stay in Western/Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Natal or anywhere else in the world for that matter, there is a way to have lush gardens without using up your city’s water supply. To build a system that is suitable for your garden, you need to calculate 

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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

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