Backup water systems overview - May 2023

[Jan]

Backup water systems in South Africa — these are your options

South African households concerned about water supply problems can invest in one of several systems to reduce their reliance on local authorities for getting this precious resource.

While power cuts are front of mind for many South Africans under current conditions, experts have warned that a water crisis is also looming in South Africa.

 

[GhostSixFour]

I know of a couple of people that are looking to emigrate and will basically do so immediately should any water issues start arising.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Water Crisis?
Not where I live

 

[Gaz{M}]

You say emigrate, but the cost of living in the 1st World is insanely high. It's much cheaper to self provide everything in SA.

 

[G.A.S]

You might need to mention annual maintenance on the borehole.

Also some places don't allow it due to dolomite.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

You say emigrate, but the cost of living in the 1st World is insanely high. It's much cheaper to self provide everything in SA.

Agree 100%
Lived abroad in my 20s
RSA is still good value for money and we get away with murder on the roads right in front of traffic cops and policemen
Get away with so many health and safety things as well
And the list goes on

 

[Jam Sandwich]

You might need to mention annual maintenance on the borehole.

Also some places don't allow it due to dolomite.

Annual maintenance?

 

[wingnut771]

What's it like drinking asbestos water?

 

[JustMyThoughts]

You can add a swimming pool in to the mix as well. It has saved me out of many a pickles when it comes to flashing the toilet.

 

[bwana]

Rainwater harvesting cost me about R1 per litre of storage (started with 5kl and eventually added 4750 then 2450 tanks), R2000 for the .75kw pump and about R1000-R1500 for a decent garden hose, one way valves and other assorted connectors to get the water into the house.

At the end of the day there is probably zero cost savings but I have water.

EDIT: these days you need to include the cost of a backup power supply for the pump.

 

[lkpat]

What's it like drinking asbestos water?

Like any other water. You still need to filter it.

 

[wingnut771]

Like any other water. You still need to filter it.

There are some things filters don't get rid of like heavy metals.

 

[Mystic Twilight]

There are some things filters don't get rid of like heavy metals.

Filters do get rid of heavy metals, you just need the right filter [medium].

 

[wingnut771]

Filters do get rid of heavy metals, you just need the right filter [medium].

I stand corrected. Good to know.

 

[Chris.Geerdts]

You can add a swimming pool in to the mix as well. It has saved me out of many a pickles when it comes to flashing the toilet.

One can flash the toilet without water

 

[Chris.Geerdts]

Good timing on the article. After our 4th outage in a year this weekend I am thinking that 2-3 days backup will reduce a lot of stress

 

[G.A.S]

Good timing on the article. After our 4th outage in a year this weekend I am thinking that 2-3 days backup will reduce a lot of stress

Yeah... a day - or even just a few hours - without water is much worse than the same without electricity.

 

[Stoompie]

You say emigrate, but the cost of living in the 1st World is insanely high. It's much cheaper to self provide everything in SA.

I’ve been meaning to go myself, have everything in order but I just can’t shake the feeling of what if.

 

[Stoompie]

I’ve been meaning to go myself, have everything in order but I just can’t shake the feeling of what if.

Then again everything here has gone to kak!

 

[Stoompie]

You might need to mention annual maintenance on the borehole.

Also some places don't allow it due to dolomite.

What annual maintenance? We’ve had a borehole for 20 years and only opened it once to replace a short circuited pump.