Using grey water helps combat drought
HERE are some reasons you might consider growing your own vegetables and why you need to nurture that precious commodity, water.
The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) South Africa, in its 2015 Integrated Annual Report, points out that only 1 percent of the whole of South Africa has the right climate and soil combinations for rain-fed crops. Only 3 percent of our country has truly fertile soils, and only 13 percent of the land is good for cultivation. Most of the land surface (69 percent) is only good for grazing, making livestock farming the largest agricultural sector. The WWF says that 80 percent of South Africa’s land is in the hands of farmers.
However, we have all read about the thousands of animals that have died as a result of the ongoing drought, and now a report in Science Advances reveals that many more people are living under severe water scarcity than previously thought. The founder of the Water Footprint Network, and the University of Twente’s professor of water management, Arjen Hoekstra (based in The Netherlands) has discovered that as many as 4 billion people worldwide are affected by severe water scarcity for at least one month a year. In 37 countries the entire population is affected, and in 97 countries over half of the population lacks water. South Africa is among those countries feeling the impact of shrinking water supplies.
However, a little ingenuity, planning and crafty tricks will help your gardens bear fruit. Making every drop count is really the best way. Using grey water from washing dishes and clothes will help to keep your crops thriving.
Investing in a rain harvesting tank to store water from the gutters of your roof, is one way to go. But even diverting your gutter water to your garden can help. Otherwise place buckets or tins where rain water gushes off your roof.