The new normal of saving water
I read in our Council News, which I received by e-mail (congratulations to all concerned with this well set out information sheet!), that due to low water levels in our dams, plus the lack of rain, the charges for water will rise. The objective is to restrict the use of water.
What a pity that once again a crisis is to be solved via a financial solution. Money will not bring the water levels of our dam up. Those who can afford it, will use as much water as they wish. Those less fortunate, who use the least of all resources, will struggle along on a basic supply. Remember that they do not have a car to wash, have a washing machine or a dishwasher. No swimming pool to top up either!
Water is becoming a scarce commodity. Climate change, as set out in the excellent book by Al Gore, is here, despite what the claims of the White House man-child, Trump.
Welcome to the new normal! Rain may be illusive for a number of years.
As a town we need to realise that we need a few simple, low cost solutions to what is likely to become a matter of great concern in the years ahead.
A water tank at each house to catch up rain from the roof is a must!
We need to start now with a recycling plant for our grey water. Windhoek has had one since John Vorster declared it open in the early 1960’s. London recycles its grey water, and it is a little known fact that in a supposedly wet climate, there is a need to take the water re-use so seriously.
Instead of the municipal authorities watering the grass in the middle of Langenhoven Street and outside the CJ Langenhoven Library, they should be planting the unique flora of the Little Karoo on all now grassed areas of open municipal land. Low maintenance and even better still, it can survive lengthy drought conditions.
These few ideas will be ignored by many, but I repeat: Welcome to the new normal.
We ignore the inevitable catastrophe at our own peril!
– William Gould, Oudtshoorn
