South Africa is a water-scarce country and one of the driest in the whole world, which simply means that we need to use every drop of available water in a wise and beneficial way. The situation has been made worse by climate change, meaning less water available for the country.
Climate change, population growth and pollution are some of the key issues contributing to a worldwide water crisis, which calls for the wise use of available water to ensure water security for all.
Currently, most parts of the country are receiving much sought after rainfall. It is crucial that we all make good use of the rainwater as it falls. It is important that we practice rainwater harvesting and use the rainwater to relieve the pressure on our water supply schemes and systems.
Rainwater harvesting reduces the stress on our water resources and estuaries due to less extraction from rivers and dams during the rainy season and, at the same time, makes storing more water for use during the dry season possible, ensuring reliable water supply for all throughout the year.
This prevents the wastage of rainwater through run-off, and the rainwater can then be productively used around the household and garden. Rainwater can be fruitfully utilized for irrigation, flushing toilets, laundry and washing cars and other items.
Rainwater harvesting can play a major role in relieving the stress on our overstretched resources. We can use the water in our water harvesting tanks for our everyday chores and thereby reduce the utilization of the water from the municipal system, relieving the pressure on the water resources.
Harvesting rainwater has many benefits for people and the environment. It reduces over-reliance on the municipal systems, reducing the water bill. It reduces the consumption of potable water, promoting water conservation. It also ensures environmental benefits in that the water resources are not depleted and the environment is spared from degradation.
Let us embrace rainwater harvesting to secure a future with enough water. Let us harvest rainwater and save.
