Living in a water-scarce area: Solutions for a dry world

My parents live in Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape. The area is currently in a state of critical water-shortage due to a drought, and too many people living in the area. Very strict water-use restrictions are being applied. Dad, the retired Karoo sheep-farmer, is not perturbed. He sees an abundance of water, having lived most of his life in an area with an annual rainfall of around 5 inches. Every down-pipe of the gutters has a basin to catch small water run-offs; his old photographic trays stand in the shady courtyard, catching overnight dew. In the shower a large bucket awaits the cold water that comes out of the hot tap before the morning ablutions. I even found him pouring the last of the un-drunk ground coffee, with the grounds, onto a favourite plant. As a result he has a lovely garden around his home, while many neighbours live with dust-bowls.

[Elizabeth Hanna]

Yes, it is amazing how much water can be recycled.... I learned to do that in Kenya a few years ago... Nothing wasted... it just takes a bit of thought. Like your collage.

[Judifff]

Great collage Eleanor. Good work your Dad is doing in recycling water :o)

[Delia]

That's really interesting to read. I've been enjoying seeing your photographs and learning more about where you live!

[mirmax]

Reminds me of my childhood. While we never really had a water shortage of this magnitude, I remember some summers with restrictions. And water was always expensive for a large family in Germany. Often, we had multiple steps: the water that was used to wash the dinner veggies was kept to water the tomato plants or other needy plants. The dish water was afterwords used to flush the toilet etc.

[Hilary Shearing]

David and Taffy ever practical. Fond memories of them on the farm. The karoo as a result is one of my favourite places and when we're visiting just have to go there. Hope they were both well when you saw them.