According to the United Nations, with the world’s population expected to top nine billion people by 2050, the world is going to need at least 55% more water. And not just water; clean water. In most people’s minds that would mean building more dams, such as on the Umkomazi River in KZN which at this time is largely untapped. However, worldwide there are very few new large … [Read more...]
Happy days when your rainwater tanks are full
During last summer's drought, the price of rainwater tanks shot up. Business was booming. You could see trucks full of tanks all over the place. Good for a green heart who’s been promoting rainwater harvesting forever. We reached for second hand tanks, reconditioned oil drums – looking for the best value for money. Then a newby arrived on the market. A portable tank, … [Read more...]
Clever kids use rainwater to clean windscreen
It’s an idea that could one day help save billions of litres of water. Instead of simply wiping raindrops off our car windscreens, why not collect and reuse the water via the washer jets? Brother and sister Daniel and Lara Krohn were travelling in the family car last summer when the heavens opened. But when their dad Gerd, who was driving, tried to clear away the smears, the … [Read more...]
Drought adaptation DIY style: steps to save water
January was not for chickens in the Cape – extreme drought and fires saw the gardens shrivel up and die. So sad to witness and feel the distress all round. Once our veggie plants got stressed the diseases followed. Watching your water consumption with Stage 3 water restrictions and growing food without the farmer’s concessions calls for innovation. How to capture each … [Read more...]
Heavy rain expected in Western and Eastern Cape
A warning of heavy rain has been issued by the Climate Change & Disaster Management (Early Warning Unit) of SA's Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishereies. The areas hardest hit will be the southern parts of the Cape Winelands, Overberg and Eden Districts of the Western Cape, as well as the extreme south-western parts of the Eastern Cape. People are advised … [Read more...]
Funky new water innovation helps you save
Innovation in the water arena is one of our most crucial needs now as climate change threatens our water resources in a fast escalating fashion, especially here in Africa. Being more water-efficient and wise will help sustain our quality of life. It also means less money out of our pockets, as less available fresh water means rising costs. Yet the typical home is set up to … [Read more...]
Turn tap water into clean drinking water
On average you should be drinking at least two litres of water per day, enabling your body to flush out all the waste products. By not doing this you are putting your health and that of your family at risk. But let’s be honest: who wants to drink two litres of bad tasting tap water each and every day? Now great tasting healthy water (a 90% improvement in quality) is right … [Read more...]
Public Works office first to get five green stars
Nestled in Ixopo, in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) midlands, South Africa’s Department of Public Works enhanced its environmental credentials, becoming the first provincial government building to receive a 5-Star office design rating from Green Star SA. The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) congratulated the KZN Department of Public Works on the 5 Star rating for the … [Read more...]
New era of eco shopping
In these times, it is important for retailing to be as sustainable as possible. In this spirit, the flagship Pick n Pay on Nicol store has introduced a new era in sustainable retailing through the integration of world class retail thinking and the very best in sustainability principles. An integrated energy-efficiency strategy has been adopted in order to balance … [Read more...]
Water: the currency of the future
Water is essential to all life on earth. Now water is set to head in the same direction as oil, with prices rising as demand is increased and supplies are depleted. The fundamental difference is that whilst oil equals money, water equals life. We use so much water in our day to day lives that we often take it for granted. Neither do we realize that every product we buy, or … [Read more...]
Rainwater for ten schools
On the noteworthy date of 10/10/10, while activists across the globe were uniting for 350.org's Global Work Party, a Hartbeespoort community led by Henning and Thea Holm of Omnibus Engineering gave a push to local grassroots activism and environmental education by donating ten water tanks to local schools to promote rainwater harvesting. Omnibus Engineering was joined on … [Read more...]
Rainwater harvesting answer for Africa
Experts are lobbying for rainwater harvesting to help solve Africa's water crisis. This is a neglected, yet cheap and simple water supply technique. The continent is running out of water, but many governments are not moving fast enough to replenish sources or enact water-friendly laws. The 15th African International Water Congress was held in Kampala recently. Here over … [Read more...]
