SoPlett! | Plettenberg Bay

It is with shock and horror that I look at the dam levels for the South Cape. I have been following your region’s plight with regard to the shortage of water for a while now, and note that very little consumer information is available. I have researched many of your local papers, websites, as well local government archives, and have found very little information to assist public. 

Unfortunately the average South African still sees our country as a land of plenty, and is happy to blame the authorities when things go wrong. How many times have we heard that “they” should have built more dams in the catchment area, or that “they” only react when there is a crisis as there is no long term planning.

Take a step back and realise that it is we who contributed to the problem by our frivolous misuse of our water resources in the first place. How often do we see gardens watered in the heat of the day – every day, or a car washed with the hoses running for the half hour it takes to clean the car. Sit and chat to the same person over a beer whilst tanning a piece of meat and you will get the remark, “It’s not my problem. I shower instead of bathing, so I do my bit.”

This is not enough. We need to offer the homeowner options to save water. We have heard of dripping taps, coke bottles in the toilet, showering instead of bathing, watering at night instead of during the day, etc. 
These are tips that we have all heard over and over, and like a stuck record, we switch off when we hear it again.

I see it as a necessity that we offer the homeowner alternatives to the old standard leaking tap scenario. Lets offer the homeowner real alternatives that work. Rain water tanks can be used to wash cars and water gardens. Cost effective grey water systems can be installed to keep gardens alive. Two in a shower offers serious communication time. Backwashed pool water can be reused on the garden if left to stand for a few days, etc.

These are meaningful water saving initiatives that have been used internationally for years in California and Australia – why on earth can’t we see the bigger picture. 

I have opened up a grey water recycling agency in Mossel bay with terrible results. The municipality is over the moon with what we can do – but, alas, the homeowner sees rain in the distance, or that the neighbour will do his part. 

We are all in for a terrible surprise and once again the authorities will be blamed. Shame on all of us!

Source: Mark Joubert

Image courtesy of one2love