What is a
Drought?
When the ground shifts beneath your feet. When buildings shake and bridges collapse. Mountains move and trees get uprooted, earthquakes are seismic shift of the surface of the Earth. Earthquakes are also a trigger for other natural disasters as well; tsunamis, landslides and avalanches – making them even deadlier.
BEFORE
1
Identify if you live in a drought prone area and prepare accordingly by discussing with your family what you would do in the event of a drought and how to conserve water.
2
Install a rain catch system to make better use of your area’s rainfall. This water can be used for watering your garden or cleaning.
3
Install or refit faucets and appliances that are more energy and water efficient. Cover pools to reduce evaporation and invest in a water-saving pool filter.
4
Have drought-tolerant plants in your garden, they require less watering
5
Have a week’s stock of bottled water stored.
How To
Prepare for
a Drought
DURING
Water Conservation is the way to go! Make a limited supply of water go a long way.
Hydrological – when water supplies are lower than usual
Socioeconomic – when water supply is not able to meet demand
Agricultural – when there’s not enough water for crops
Meteorological – when there’s not enough rainfall
Around the House
Always ask yourself if the water you’re about to throw down the drain can be used for something else. The answer is usually yes!
Repair leaks, dripping faucets and pumps.
When in the Loo
Take shorter showers. Don’t let the water run when you’re brushing teeth or lathering soap and shampoo.
Use a bucket to collect extra water – this can be used for watering plants or cleaning.
Doing the Dishes
Don’t use running water to thaw frozen food.
Use two basins (one soapy and one for rinse) to wash dishes.
Try a compost heap instead of sink disposal for food waste.
Watering the Lawn
Don’t overwater your garden. Multiple short sessions are more effective than a long one.
Invest in a water efficient irrigation device.
Plan sprinkler placement so water doesn’t hit the pavement.
Washing Clothes/ Cars
Wash clothes only if the machine is full. Or adjust the water level to the amount necessary to the size of the load.
Park on the grass when washing your car, you can then water your lawn at the same time.
Find out if your commercial car wash recycles water.
Dry as a Bone?
There are multiple ways to procure water for yourself if you’re stranded in a drought or also not sure whether water at hand is clean or not.
Nature Knows Best
In a search for water sources in the wild, know that nature will always find a way. Search for; growing vegetation – there could be an underground source of water, insects and birds – bees and mosquitoes usually inhabit areas with water nearby and pigeons look for it when dusk settles, the ground – water naturally collects downhill, and digging up streams that appear to be dry are a good water to find water below surface.
The Trees
Make yourself a Transpiration Trap by wrapping a polythene bag over a leafy branch and letting nature take its course. You should have about 250ml in a few hours.
The Earth
Known as a Solar Still, here’s how to you make water rise from the earth when it won’t fall from the sky. Pick a sunny spot and dig a hole you can fit a bucket into, then secure a layer of plastic around the hole with a small weight at the centre of it. Now watch condensation at work. You should be able to collect about a litre a day.
AFTER
- Using what you’ve learnt as a basis, create a management plan for the next drought and start prepping!
- Analyze how the drought has impacted your finances and property.
- Identify what worked during the drought and what mistakes you made.
