JoJo rainwater harvesting tanks
Next on my list of things to do is to add a Jojo rainwater harvesting tank. Quite a few neighbours have installed the JoJo slimline to use for watering the garden and topping up the pool, and if the rain that we had last year is anything to go by, it will fill up the tank quickly.
jojotanks.co.za
You can use rainwater in the home and garden as a total water solution for your home, but you need to install a system that has all the built in filters. At this stage I just want to be able to have rainwater on hand for the garden and pool, as well as for my soon-to-start veggie and herb garden.
ecoworks.net.au
The Jojoba Slimline rainwater harvesting tank takes up very little space and is easy to install. It provides a free source of water. You can use this water to top up the swimming pool, wash your car, clean your driveway, or water the garden as often as you like, as the tank holds up to 750 litres of water. Jojoba rainwater harvesting tanks are manufactured from virgin, food grade polyethylene and are rated for storing water for human consumption.
With water shortages on the horizon for Joburg, Durban and Cape Town, and already being experienced in other areas, rainwater harvesting might just be the ideal solution for the homeowner. Being able to tap into rainwater for everyday use makes a lot of sense to me. Times Live recently reported that water shortages are not far away, and Unisa mentioned that demand far outstrips supply and our water supply is under extreme pressure.
Unisa reports that "South Africa is already experiencing water crises in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces with Brits and Carolina being prime examples within these. Furthermore, water interruptions have been experienced in Kimberley, Krugersdorp, Rustenburg and Potchefstroom, and it has been estimated that Bloemfontein may run dry by September this year. The crisis is, therefore, expanding at a vast pace and will lead to a water predicament if the situation is not addressed properly with immediate effect. At present numerous water management areas are experiencing a water deficit, natural ecosystems as well as the country’s freshwater resources are put under immense pressure by various sectors and users and the water quality of the appropriate water resources are decreasing."
Our Water Affairs Minister has stated that "If we continue with this trend of using water as if it is an infinite resource, we may find ourselves in some form of trouble. We [water affairs] are not sitting back and we want to rely on you as South Africans to work hard. Everyone of us must contribute to ensure this statement that is always made is not a reality."
While you can shed the blame where you will, at the end of the day we all need to make a concerted effort to prevent the looming disaster. For me, the first step will be to look a rainwater harvesting and how I can do my bit towards saving water.
Tips for rainwater harvesting courtesy of Jojoba:
- Simply put... rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater. Rainwater can essentially be used anywhere you use tap water. A rainwater tank should be completely sealed (naturally you need to provide for an inlet pipe or gutter) to prevent evaporation and mosquitoes from breeding. Every tank should be fitted with a sieve to catch leaves and twigs that flow down the gutters.
- Why are we using drinking water to flush toilets and water lawns. The practice is wasteful and irresponsible, especially in light of the population growth and water shortages across the country.
- Rainwater harvesting greens your home lessens your environmental footprint. Rainwater is an absolutely FREE source of water.
- Your water tank filled with harvested rainwater provides water security when the municipal water is cut off for any reason whatsoever. If your tank is connected to the water mains, it will act as a storage buffer and depending on the size tank installed you will have running water for up to 48 hours.
- The process uses simple technologies that are inexpensive and easy to maintain. A rainwater harvesting system can be easily retrofitted to an existing structure or built during new home construction.