Some things just make sense

There can be no doubt that the weather is right at the forefront of our thinking in our daily life, especially at this time of year. It often leads the TV and radio news bulletins and is no stranger to the front page of the paper.

You can say and think what you like about climate change but there is no denying that, nowadays, we just can’t escape the constant weather barrage. It goes without saying that this is not just a media beat-up — many of us Kiwis are experiencing these extreme weather events on a much more regular basis. It’s either hotter, wetter, windier, or drier than we have ever known it and it’s not going to go away or get better. It’s going to get worse. So, what are we sheddies going to do about it?

Our theory is, because we can, we do — or, more important, because we can, we should. Many sheddies have the skills to sort some of our own needs and not be so dependent on infrastructure to completely look after us. If we can ensure that we can have our own water supply we should. If we can ensure that we have our own power supply, etc., then we should. Many of our neighbours can’t solve these kinds of issues for themselves, so by sorting ourselves out we are lessening the load on the local infrastructure. To us, it seems logical to look after ourselves when we can. In a crisis, we will be in a position to help others.

Now, I’m not prophesying the end of days (not currently in my skill set) or saying we are doomed, but there is no doubt that we need to make sure we are secure in many more ways that we have been used to for most of our lives. It seems that droughts are now a factor of life every summer. Even if the end is not nigh, it would still be great to keep the garden going strong through the hotter months — there’s nothing sadder than wilting veggies and dead flowers.

The result of this thinking is the reason for our main feature this issue — some basic guidance to help you secure your own rainwater supply. Even if you live in a city, setting up a supply is not rocket science and it just makes sense to do so. Tanks come in all different shapes and sizes these days and there are options galore for that awkward space that is the only place you can really install a tank. The options, too, for gathering, cleaning, pumping, etc., are also plentiful and varied. Think about it — you will regret not arranging your own supply every time you get that water bill and for sure that water cost is only going to go one way. If you are not paying for your water now, there is nothing more certain than you soon will be.

So dive into our rainwater feature this issue (page 22), and plan to arrange your own supply before next summer — the resultant saving will have you singing in the shower like never before.

How can that be a bad thing? Greg Vincent