This is a question that most residential Cape Townians have asked themselves over the past 6 months owing to the serious drought crippling the city. South Africans are no strangers to resource shortages after experiencing the Electricity load-shedding in the recent past. The reality is that South Africans have had to change their ways of living to adapt to the challenges they have faced. Crime has resulted in every home having a private security company or electric fencing, electricity power cuts have seen many families investing in generators and now water shortages are a problem that we will now need to adjust to accordingly.
The simple solution is to become self-sufficient within your home and put in place long term solutions to ensure reduced reliance or absolute autonomy from the municipal water supply. Our experts offer four solutions to becoming independent:
1. According to Rod Cairns, MD of Jojo Tanks South Africa, “Harvesting rain water is the most environmentally conscious and friendly way to acquire water. It is also free in the long term. Rain water is easily treatable and can be used in various areas of the home from irrigation to sanitation and for consumption, if treated correctly. Currently less than 5% of all rain water that falls in Cape Town is captured and used, so this solution to aid the problem seems reasonable and easily to implement.
2. Boreholes, while expensive upfront, offer a household a large supply of water in a short amount of time. Most coastal boreholes generate water at a rate of around 1000 litres per hour. There is however a downside to boreholes that exists, with the City of Cape Town implementing Level 6b water restrictions, which limits the use of boreholes and publicly discourages residents from trying to maintain “green rolling lawns.” The water garnered from boreholes should ideally be used for sanitation and other indoor household requirements. The borehole water treatment is done using customised treatment systems from Conns Water Solutions, which use various techniques to treat your water according to your usage requirements.
3. Drinking water is ultimately the biggest basic concern for households. Every home should be stocked with a supply of bottled drinking water to avoid any unforeseen shortages. Makro and other retailers have played their part in guaranteeing supply of bottled water at cost price. Do ensure that whatever water you buy is sourced from outside the Western Cape or area which have not been hit with shortages, as a number of illegal companies are operating from water sources which intensifies the problem.
4. A grey water system for the home offers a long term solution to treating your grey water and utilising it positively. The Hydraloop is an award-winning grey water treatment system which recycles 85% of your grey water and pumps it into whichever area of your home you select, all via your handheld device. This incredible product finally offers you a water management system for your home and hugely reduces your consumption, ensuring that self-sufficient living is possible. According to Mark Madlener, CEO of Conns Water Solutions “Water as a precious commodity, and the attention to water solutions in the home, is a reality for the global community for the foreseeable future. Households can no longer rely on Municipalities for an unlimited supply of water and need to play their role in the management of the resource. Installing an innovative system like the Hydraloop puts you ahead of the curve.”
For more information on Hydraloop, Big Blue or any other products of ours that can provide solutions for your home or business, please contact us on info@connsfilters.co.za
Read more: 7 Expert tips for businesses to save water and save money
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