Water, we take it for granted far too much. You turn on the tap and there it is. Well, that’s how it is for many of us including us until recently when no water came out of the kitchen tap.
Water isn’t everywhere
I’ve always been aware that in third world countries water from a tap is an unimaginable luxury for many people who don’t have access to clean water and may bave to travel long distances to get enough water for their families needs.
I also know that Australia is a dry country, large parts of our country including parts of Tasmania have been in drought two or three times in the last few years. It’s heartbreaking to hear of farmers having to kill or dispose of their stock because there is no water and to see photos of lakes and rivers that have dried up.
In the past year, it seems to be worse than ever. I’ve read of whole towns whose water supply is almost gone and they are having to get water trucked in. I can’t recall ever having heard of that happening in the past. Not in Australia. The terrible bushfires of the last two summers meant that water supplies were further depleted in those areas. It is quite frightening.
There are things that the government and industries need to look at doing better. Should we be allowing companies to buy water to use in the bottled water industry? Not if it is taking it away from the communities that need it surely. Should we be growing crops that need large amounts of water like citrus or avocadoes? Shouldn’t water be available to everyone that needs it not those who buy and sell it for profit?
Since moving to Sisters Beach I have become much more water conscious because for the first time in my life I am dependent on rainwater for household needs. There are three tanks here and I’m still learning how to manage them. If I am not good at it and run out before the weather turns wet again I will be paying to have water delivered. I have started keeping a bucket in the shower to catch that water that runs out while I wait for it to be warm enough to get under. It might only be a couple of litres but it can be used elsewhere.
https://www.intheblack.com/articles/2017/11/01/water-rights-barons
Our Other Blog: Two Sisters and Two Points of View 
I have never been gladder that I have my own well. The water is good and icy cold. We have a bit too much iron in the water — which is why my white hair always looks a bit yellow, but so far, so good. As far as water goes, we are lucky. We live in a valley full of water. Our water feeds outward to many towns including Boston. We also don’t pay for sewers. We have our own recycling project underground in the back yard. Once a year, we have it pumped out, but the water seeps back into the soil. Our gray water from showers and washing-machine gets pumped straight out into the earth and boy do we get a lot of wildflowers.
On the other hand, we have no recycling. We don’t even have anywhere to put used plastic bottles. Uxbridge doesn’t evena have its own dump.
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I was quite surprised to find that we were on sewers here as I had expected that it would be septic tanks. I think grey water recycling is a great idea. All homes should have it. I’d set it up if I could afford to do it.
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We have tremendous water shortages here too because of drought. People have become vigilant about using every drop wisely. 2 minutes or less in the shower, catching it in a bucket for washing floors or flushing the loo, hand sanitizer in public toilets, etc. Most people have rainwater tanks. We have had relieving rain in the Western Cape but after almost reaching Day Zero, nobody is wasteful anymore!
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I was watching cricket the other week, Australia v South Africa and see that you have also had the worry of bushfires. I think our climates are quite similar.
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Indeed they are. We are better at cricket though🤣
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Don’t remind me 😦
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We are on stage two water restrictions and the lake is still brown and low on water. Things could be worse and we have not run out of water. I am grateful to the town water which is nice and clean at the moment. In the past we have had trouble with the water tasting bad. Some nearby towns had to boil it before it could be used. I think it was algae or something. Council is supposed to lift the restrictions this month if all is well. We must be getting a bit more rain as the backyard has greened up and I now have to mow the lawns again. For most of the summer al I had was dust and dandelions.
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It’s precious. It takes quite a while for the hot water to come out of my kitchen tap. Difficult with new handwashing regime. I normally use cold water but hot water is recommended now. How do you manage this, Vanda?
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I haven’t reallly worked out the best way yet. the water does warm up quickly so the best I can do is to only part fill the basin.
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