Re-cylce your thoughts

It is time for us all to re-think how we feel about re-cycling!

How many of us really take it seriously? Do we separate our garbage into plastics, cans, paper etc.? I guess that in almost 75% of households the answer will be a resounding NO! Our local authorities don’t make it any easier. Why in some council areas are we supplied with bags intended for paper and plastic waste and in others not? Why do some councils insist that our garden refuse be placed in very expensive bags and then collected by the same truck and all compacted into one load? Why are there not more collection points for products which can easily be re-cycled – glass (the best one), paper, plastics and cans?

Maybe the answer should be sought from our councils. Maybe it is time for mass action on our part to insist that the specific councils play a bigger part in re-cycling waste. I do not advocate us going out into the streets and engaging in anti-social behavior, but to write letter after letter after letter to the authorities. Approach your local councilor and insist the he/she take this matter up and report back on the outcome however negative it might be.

Our electricity supplier has once again warned of major “blackouts” in the near future (and the distant future as well) if we do not all save on power. They introduce incentives to install solar powered water heaters. They are even now installing them into lower cost housing projects. Wow, why was this not done back in 1981 (or there about) when solar systems first became available in South Africa on any commercial scale? I applaud their effort albeit a while after the horse has bolted.

How long have we heard about potential water shortages in this fine country of ours? Has there been a concerted effort from any quarter to inform and educate people into saving water. Maybe it is kept in the closet because of the many citizens who do not have the privilege of running water in their homes. Why bring up a subject that could (and probably will) come back and bite you in the proverbial.

It’s time, folks, to take our water situation seriously. With all the rain the majority of the country has had over the past few weeks, conservation is the last thing on most people’s minds. “What, install rainwater tanks, recycle grey water and save on pool backwash water? With all this water around why would I spend money on doing that?” you may say. Is it not strange how South Africans (on the whole) are short sighted? Just like night comes after day, so does winter come after summer. And guess what, winter brings very little rain. Oh, how we will all cry into our tea cups as to what an arid and harsh land we live in during winter. Water restrictions imposed on us. Gardens we have slaved away at all summer wilting and dying. And the worst is – you are not allowed to wash that precious car either.

There is a way out – re-cycle your thoughts about what you can do about the looming lack of water.



Call us today to discuss how we can help you become more self-sufficient on water in your home or business.

2011 is here!

Yes, it’s the new year and we all trust that it will be a good one for us, our families and our friends.

With all the rain we have been having in KZN let’s spare a thought for those less fortunate – not only in South Africa but all over the world. I am sure that conserving water is the last thing on many a mind at the moment. Why worry, there is lots of it and in any case, we are still in “holiday” mode.

The problem is that, whether we like it or not, winter is on the way. Oh, how we will all lament the day when we wasted water during summer and now our gardens are turning brown. The plants you spent all that money on, feeding and watering during summer are looking decidedly worse for wear. Now, and not before it is too late, is the time to start thinking about ways to conserve water so that when winter is here we will be able to keep our gardens green without having to pay for the water.

That is correct – without having to pay for the water!



Do you know that about 40% of the water you use in your home can be re-used in your garden? That amounts to 400l for every 1000l you draw from the council. This “grey water” from baths, showers, basins and washing machines could be going into irrigating your garden which is 400l you do not have to draw and pay for - and do not forget the saving on the sewage levy as well.

Every time you backwash your pool you send anywhere between 250l and 500l of water down the drain. What usually happens during winter is that we backwash less, the pool goes that lovely green colour and then we spend a fortune at the beginning of summer to restore it to blue clear water. Now you can still backwash every week, clarify the water and return it to the pool. That means another couple of hundred (if not thousands) of litres of water you do not have to pay for to replenish the pool.

Please don’t wait until winter to realize you have a problem – do something now and be prepared.

They washed their cars with what?

This could be the question your grand children will be asking (or even your children for that matter) in not too many years time. Think about it. How many cars are washed in your neighbourhood over a weekend? If part of that water could be saved all over the world, every weekend, it could mean that our planet (and therefore our future generations) could have an additional year or two supply of life-giving water. If you have to use a hose pipe, why not pull your vehicle onto your lawn and at least give that some water. There’s a 100% saving without even trying too hard! The next thing to do is go out and purchase a high pressure cleaner. There are many available on the market for home use and they are really not that expensive. By using a pressure cleaner you will reduce the amount of water you use by a further 60% or more. And, don’t forget you can wash your paving, clean the outside walls of your house and so many other chores that you normally do with a hose pipe. Now, if you are serious about the future of our water supply, why not harvest rain water. This can be used in conjunction with your pressure cleaner as well as to irrigate your garden or even replace the municipal supply to your house. “Rain water in my home?” you ask. Yes, how do you think our fore fathers did it - and they were a whole lot healthier than us! Fact – The supply of water on our planet is diminishing at an alarming rate with some reports being that South Africa could have serious problems by as soon as 2015. Fact – You can do something to help. Don’t be apathetic and say that it’s not your problem. Fact – Every drop of water we waste today is a drop not available to sustain your future generations. Do you want them to be asking the question – They washed their cars with what?

Don't hog all the water.

Heard about “Road Hogs”? - Those irritating fellow motorists that simply do not give a hoot about anybody else on the road. Continually change lanes, do not indicate, park in disabled persons’ spaces, hug your back bumper and are just plain stupid. The worst part is that very often they endanger our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Now here is a new one – “Water Hogs”! – Those irritating fellow citizens who simply do not give a splash about anybody else on the planet. Continually wasting water by not fixing leaking taps, leave taps running when not necessary, throwing perfectly good usable water down the drain and are also just plain stupid. They to, endanger our lives and the lives of our loved ones, not only now but in generations to come.

The Monster in your garden

We all have one! He lurks under a bush somewhere, only to be looked at once a month (if he is lucky). That dreaded money gobbler that just sits there waiting for you to open a tap or flush a toilet. And the little devil has a new trick – measures the water you use and charges extra on your bill for the amount you put down the drain. Who said monsters are not clever?

But now you have the ideal weapon against that horrible gadget …. WATER RHAPSODY.

Water Rhapsody has so many systems and devices for you to use in retaliation that you will almost love the little fellow.

• Garden Rhapsody – Harvest your usable waste water (grey water) and use it to water your garden or even flush your toilets.
• Multi-Flush – Install in place of your existing toilet flushing mechanisms and save a huge amount on your water usage.
• Poolside Tank – Don’t put that pool backwash water down the drain. Collect it, treat it and return it to your pool. At 500l a time (four backwashes per month is 2000l) and the chemicals you save, it makes sense.
• Grand Opus – The “Big Daddy” of all. Harvest your rainwater and use it in your house instead of municipal water. Now that is one for the books.

There are many households in South Africa who have used Water Harvest products and systems and each and every one saves on their water bill (and now the sewage levy as well) to a lesser or greater degree. Some have water bills of ZERO Rand.

Now who says monsters are clever? Tame yours and make it your friend.