Wit h Grahamstown’s extreme water shortages rainwater tanks seem to be the people’s choice for alternative watersourcing.
The Kowie Catchment Campaign urges residents on its website to “harvest rainwater by installing a tank beside your house and collect free rainwater off your roof”.
Wit h Grahamstown’s extreme water shortages rainwater tanks seem to be the people’s choice for alternative watersourcing.
The Kowie Catchment Campaign urges residents on its website to “harvest rainwater by installing a tank beside your house and collect free rainwater off your roof”.
Galela Amanzi has focused on fundraising to supply 26 schools and community groups that do not have access to clean, safe drinking water with tanks, and two more schools have recently been added to Rotaract’s list of beneficiaries in their rainwater tank project.
Most farms in the surrounding areas and several living complexes like Worcester Mews have relied on rainwater tanks for years and judging by the increase in tank sales at local hardware stores, residents in town are also realising the benefits of the tank system.
“We have definitely seen an increase in sales of tanks this year in general but especially since the bit of rain we had a week or two ago,” said Pierre Du Plessis, sales manager of Pennypinchers.
Likewise at D&A Timbers, sales have increased from approximately four to five water tanks a month to over 100 from between November last year and this month, according to Charl Oosthuizen from the sales department.
Tanks from 1000 to 5000 litre capacity are available for just over R 1000 up to R 3000 and several Grahamstown stockists are holding specials at the moment.
If you do not want to pay to have your tank installed it is not difficult to do it yourself, according to Oasis Design, a design company aimed at cheaper and more ecological living. On their website, oasisdesign.net, you can find easyto-follow instructions and designs.
Rainwater can be used for watering plants, cooking, bathing and if you filter or boil it, it is safe to drink too.
