Water Wise Watch

Water Wise Watch
November 2015
Editor: Samanta Stelli
“Do as much as you
can to reduce the
amount of water you
use during this time of
water shortages.”
In this issue:
• South Africa’s water
current situation:
DROUGHT
• Understanding El
Niño and its effect
on South Africa’s
weather.
• Water Wise events.
• What is geosmin?
Water Wise Tip of the
Month from Leslie Hoy
“Replace worn washers in
taps and toilets to prevent
leaks and water wastage,
especially during the
current drought.”
This month with Water Wise
The news is buzzing with warnings
about severe drought, water restrictions,
water shortages, and the resultant knockon effects on farming and water supply in
South Africa.
Parts of the Free State and KwaZuluNatal provinces have been declared
disaster areas due to a lack in rainfall. The
Western Cape is experiencing its worst
drought in 75 years.
Although we have entered the rainy
season in the eastern part of the country,
the effects of the weather phenomenon
known as El Niño has caused belownormal rainfall, and above-normal
temperatures throughout most of the
country.
Both Tshwane and Johannesburg have
been issued with warnings of possible
water shortages, as a result of the current
drought, the worst in the last 23 years.
Rand Water has issued a statement
advising residents of Pretoria and
Johannesburg of possible localized
problems with water supply, including
low pressure and water shortages, due
to high demand, low rainfall, and high
temperature in those areas.
Residents have been asked to use
water sparingly at this time to prevent a
potential water crisis. To read more, click
here.
Water Wise joins in World Migratory Bird Day
celebrations at Marievale
On 15 October 2015, the Department of Environmental
Affairs (DEA), together with the Gauteng Department of
Agricultural and Rural Development (GDARD) and BirdLife
South Africa (BLSA) celebrated World Migratory Bird Day at the
Marievale Bird Sanctuary in Nigel. Water Wise were invited to attend the event as key
stakeholders as a result of an Memorandum of Agreement
with GDARD which resulted in the retrofitting and upgrading
the bird hides and facilities. In addition to this, Water Wise
also developed educational posters which have been displayed
in all the bird hides.The Chief Director: Sustainable Use of
Environment, Mr Loyiso Mkwana, thanked Water Wise for
their contribution.
The wetland environment at Marievale allows for a range of
bird species and other wildlife to inhabit the area throughout
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Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa.
the year
hence the
need for the
conservation
of this site is
crucial. It it
is part of the
Blesbokspruit
Ramsar site
and is also listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
The celebration included a tour of the site with numerous
school groups and community members. The message of
conservation of birds and wetlands were emphasised, a
message that aligns well with Water Wise and will no doubt be
encouraged.
Better, Smarter, Greener
Water in the News
Special Edition News:
South African Drought
2015/2016
Minister address the wastage of
water in SA
The Minister for Water and Sanitation,
Nomvula Mokonyane, has told
Parliament that Joburg lost enough
water between July 2013 and June 2014
to fill up Hartbeespoort Dam – and still
have spare. The next war, the experts
say, will be fought not over national
pride (necessarily), not over oil or other
mineral resources, but over water – that
scarce resource that so many of us take
for granted.
North West, Free State and the Northern
Cape Provinces are currently the hardest
hit, and the Depertment of Water and
Sanitation is urging people to use water
sparingly.
Reports from KwaZulu-Natal indicate
that there has been up to R 500 million
worth of damage so far. The situation,
which is crippling farmers in the area,
has been described as devastating, as up
to 50% of water use has been restricted
in certain municipalities, and dam levels
drop to below 25% capacity.
Saving water if you live in a
sectional title or complex
especially as we enter a severe drought
in South Africa this summer seaosn.
For example, ask garden services and
the body corporate responsible for
maintaining the landscapes to water
early in the afternoon or late in the
evening. For more hints and tips, click
here.
If you want to attempt fracking,
you will need permission
The Minister of water and sanitation
has declared fracking, or hydraulic
fracturing, a controlled activity, as per
the National Water Act 36 (1998). To
be involved in this activity, you will be
required to obtain permission from the
Department. Read more here.
South Africans risk starvation by
threat of severe drought
Reports indicate that over half a million
people in KwaZula-Natal, and more than
90 000 Limpopo residents are facing a
water crisis as a result of the drought
we are currently experiencing across
the country. KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo,
Property24 have put together a list of
methods that those living in sectional
titles can employ to save water,
Water Wise Weather
The El Niño weather phenomenon
has been cited as the reason for South
Africa’s current drought, which is
compromising farmers, and causing
potential water shortages throughout
the country.
How does El Niño affect South Africa?
The southern part of Africa generally
receives below-normal rainfall during
El Niño years. El Niño does not always
cause drought: even though most El
Niño years have been associated with
below-normal rainfall, the impact of
it is often reduced by the sufficient
groundwater and soil moisture content
carried over from previous seasons.
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Water Facts:
•
Dry and Warm
October in review
Parameter:
2014
2015
Min. Temp. (oC)
4.1
4.5
Max. Temp. (oC)
32.8
34.3
Average Temp. (oC)
18.9
21.6
Rainfall (mm)
77
21.8
Better, Smarter, Greener
The amount of water that is wasted
through leaking pipes, theft and bad
billing in one year in Johanneburg
could fill 87 743 Olympic-sized
swimming pools.
What is geosmin and how does it
affect your water?
Smelly water does not mean unhealthy water if the
odour is caused by geosmin.
Rand Water’s consumers may experience odours in the
water during the summer months due to the presence of
geosmin. The human nose is very sensitive to geosmin,
detecting it at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion.
Geosmin is a naturally occurring odour producing substance
found in surface waters as a by-product of blue green algae.
The intensity of these odours is directly related to the
increased densities of blue-green algae normally occurring in
the surface waters of the Vaal Dam during summer.
The present problem is aggravated by the current sunny
weather and high temperatures causing ideal growing
conditions for algae and this together with the varying level of
the dam results in the draw-off of surface waters containing
high quantities of blue green algae. The odours are earthy or
musty in character and are sometimes described as smelling
Current Dam
Capacities*:
Vaal Dam:
55.9%
Bloemhof Dam:
47.8%
Grootdraai Dam:
67.5%
Sterkfontein Dam:
97.6%
Gariep Dam:
59.1%
Vaal Barrage Dam:
97.2%
Katse Dam:
71.0%
like green mealies. These odours can be very persistent and
are not effectively removed by conventional water purification
processes.
In view of the infrequent and usually short duration of the
problem and the fact that this compound is not harmful to
human health, it is Rand Water’s view that the high cost of
removing this substance is not warranted at this stage.
Rand Water, however, remains committed to supplying safe
and aesthetically acceptable water and should our extensive
water quality-monitoring programme indicate an increase in
frequency and duration of these occurrences, the necessary
steps will be taken to remedy the problem in due course.
Remember, geosmin does not present a health risk. Visit
www.reservior.co.za for further information on water quality in
your area, or call Rand Water’s customer call centre at
0860 10 10 60.
Water Wise Events
Are you feeling the effects of long
hours at work, a poor diet, and very little
exercise? Modern living gives us lifestyle
perks and convenience but it means
that many of us are working longer
hours, exercising less and eating a diet
of nutrient deficient foods. As a high
achiever and business driver, you may
be living your life in an energy and time
deficit. Many of us have become richer
materially but the trade-off is more stress
and less quality time for ourselves.
Join the Green Business Platform this
month, as they welcome Celynn Erasmus,
a registered dietician and a full time
professional speaker and writer. Celynn
is passionate about helping busy people
enhance their performance by managing
*at time of writing
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Better, Smarter, Greener
fatigue and boosting energy levels. As a
professional speaker, Celynn energizes
local as well as international audiences
and presents regularly in the UK. Celynn
is Managing Director of NewCel Mobile
Health
The event will take place on 6
November at Thaba Eco Hotel, starting
at 07:30 for 08:00. The charge is R 50 per
person, which includes a light snack after
the talk.For more information on this
event, contact the SOJO Offices at:
011 493 7880 or [email protected] or visit
www.klipsa.org.za.
Click here for past events, talks and
presentations.
The El Niño weather phenomenon
El Niño graphic courtesy of: Visit to an Ocean Planet CD ROM produced
by TOPEX/Posiden Project NASA.
Days to
remember:
06 November:
World Responsible
Tourism Day
20 November:
Universal Children’s
Day
21 November
World Fisheries Day
22 November:
National Big Birding
Day
28 November:
Buy Nothing Day
El Niño and La Niña are complex weather
patterns resulting from variations in ocean
temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. El Niño
and La Niña are opposite phases of what is
known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation
(ENSO) cycle. The ENSO cycle is a scientific
term that describes the fluctuations
in temperature between the ocean
and atmosphere in the east-central
Equatorial Pacific. These deviations
from normal surface temperatures can
have large-scale impacts not only on
ocean processes, but also on global
weather and climate.
El Niño episodes typically last nine
to 12 months, but some prolonged
events may last for years. While their
frequency can be quite irregular, El
Niño events occur on average every
two to seven years. The presence of El Niño
can significantly influence weather patterns,
ocean conditions, and marine fisheries across
large portions of the globe for an extended
period of time. Developing countries dependent
upon agriculture and fishing, particularly those
bordering the Pacific Ocean, are the most
affected.
The first signs of an El Niño are a weakening
of the Walker circulation or trade winds and
strengthening of the Hadley circulation and may
include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rise in surface pressure over the Indian Ocean,
Indonesia, and Australia
Fall in air pressure over Tahiti and the rest of
the central and eastern Pacific Ocean
Trade winds in the south Pacific weaken or
head east
Warm air rises near Peru, causing rain in the
northern Peruvian deserts
For more, please visit:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ni%C3%B1o
Do you have any interesting pictures of plants in your garden, or any comments or questions? If
you do, please send them to us and we will include them in next month’s issue. We would love
to hear from you! You can visit our website by going to www.randwater.co.za and clicking on
the Water Wise logo. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] or you can
phone our call centre at 0860 10 10 60.
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Better, Smarter, Greener
Using less water in the home - preparing
for drought conditions
Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, is
encouraging South Africans to be more aware of their water
usage and to use water sparingly. According to the Minister,
climate change has exacerbated the drought situation in South
Africa, which is thought to have been triggered by the latest El
Niño weather event, and is worsened by South Africa’s semiarid climate and already water scarce state.
Drought conditions are being experiences across the
country due to prolonged lower-than-normal rainfall since
the beginning of the year, and this has led to water shortages
in a number of public water supply schemes or dams. So far,
drought disaster has been declared in only two of the nine
provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.
As individuals there are many simple measures to use
water wisely on a daily basis and not just in times of drought. Although each individuals water saving may be small, when
added together the amount of water we can save is significant.
-- Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and
industrial uses.
-- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy
while it helps your clothes to keep their colours.
-- Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the
property owner or your water provider.
-- Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbours.
-- While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your
towels.
-- Have your plumber re-route your grey water to trees and gardens
rather than letting it run into the sewer line.
-- Install covers on pools and check for leaks around your pumps.
-- When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing.
-- If your shower fills a 5 litre bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace
the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
-- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 600
litres per month.
The following are some tips on how to be Water Wise in the
home:
-- Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water
meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
-- We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check
outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
-- When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and
load size adjustments. They’re more water and energy efficient.
-- When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too.
-- Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the tap
and for energy savings.
-- Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and
money at work.
A family of four can use anything between 300 and 800 litres
of water in the home per day. This is a very large amount
considering that many people in the world use as little as 25
litres of water per person per day. It is entirely possible to
conduct your daily tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, bathing,
drinking and flushing toilets with only 2.5 buckets of water
a day. Water Wise challenges every South African to use as
little water a day as possible.
Follow the 3 R’s of being Water Wise:
• Reduce your daily water use.
• Reuse water where possible. Most tap water can be used at least twice.
• Repair leaking pipes, toilet cisterns and taps. Inspect your water meter and carry out a water audit to identify
water that may be leaking without you knowing it.
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Better, Smarter, Greener