Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge was the theme for this year’s UN’s International World Water Day on March 22. It was the 18th World Water Day, instigated to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of fresh-water resources.
Government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and groups of citizens work toraise public awareness of just how vital clean water is to our wellbeing.
Managing water in urban areas is a growing concern as rapid urban population growth and industrialisation make increasing demands on existing piped water supplies and pollute natural water sources.
Piped water woes
If development continues at current rates, there is a fear that the demand for piped water in Gauteng will outstrip supply. The Department of Water Affairs has warned that piped water shortages are likely in Gauteng and neighbouring areas in 2013.
No new source of water for this densely populated region will be available until the new Lesotho Highlands Water Project is completed in 2019.
“The period between 2013 and 2019 is likely to be a thirsty one”, says Rand Water’s Leslie Hoy.
Climate change is also a concern, as “drier drys and wetter wets” are predicted. Both scenarios will affect piped water supplies.
Prepare your garden
As water becomes scarcer, it will also cost more, so it also makes sense to reduce your water bill by using less water in your garden. By implementing water-smart practices now, you will be well prepared for any future scenarios.
Here’s how you can play a small but vital role in the protection of water supplies, and at the same time maintain a beautiful garden by reducing water usage.
l Hydro-zone your garden. Re-plan your garden into low, medium and high water usage zones. Make the low water usage area as large as possible, and the other two hydro zones small. Position the last two nearer the house where they are more visible.
Make the perimeter, alleyways and other less viewed areas low water usage areas. When you know the water needs of the various plants, move your smaller shrubs and perennials into their appropriate hydro zones.
l Reduce your lawn area. Keep the area as small as possible for the particular needs of your household members. Replace with paving, decorative pebbles or low water usage ground covers. Use a stolon-type lawn rather than tufted evergreen lawns, and let the lawn go dormant in winter, that is, brown, reducing watering to a deep watering once a month.
l Increase the water retentiveness of the soil. This can be done by adding compost as well as water-retaining polymers to the soil.
Include polymers when planting in beds or containers, or drill the soil around existing plants and drop the polymers into the holes.
l Mulch all beds. A 5cm-thick mulch prevents water loss due to evaporation. It also prevents the growth of weeds, which use up moisture.
Organic mulch is best. Use partly deposed compost, bark and wood chips, fruit and nut shells, or pine needles. Replenish as necessary.
l Recognise the water needs of plants. Most of the plantings in a water-efficient garden are low water usage plants. These plants are indigenous to countries throughout the world that have extremely low rainfalls.
If you know the place of origin of a plant, you will know if it is suitable for dry climates. Local indigenous plants are adapted to the local rainfall and are also water-wise.
l Choose water-wise plants. These all have certain characteristics that render them extremely water-efficient. Watch out for: sturdy internal structures and strong stems (examples are strelitzia, agave and New Zealand flax); small or needle-like leaves (acacias and rosemary); grey foliage (arctotis, lavender, artemisia, rock rose (Cistus spp.), pride-of-Madeira, honey flower (Melianthus major) and cancer bush (Sutherlandiafrutescens)); hairy leaves (plant Convolvulus cneorum, lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), many Helichrysums, rose campion (Lychnis coronaria), Verbascum bombyciferum, beach salvia (Salvia Africana-lutescens), Buddleja species and gazanias); succulent leaves (examples are aloes, crassulas, sedum, echeveria and vygies); and reduced size and number of leaves (examples are the karee (Rhuslancea), acacias and buffalo thorn tree (Ziziphusmucronata)).
For more information go to www.lifeisagarden.co.za or www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo. - Saturday Star