Is it worth installing a water storage system for the water shortage

[Brandenv8]

There has been a lot of talk lately of the need to save water in SA , but what I want to know is whether this is just a passing problem that is being caused by the current drought or whether this problem is likely to worsen in the future?

I am considering installing a water system for rainwater harvesting at my house but the installation costs are quite pricey and I dont want to install the system if water is not going to become an issue in the next few years. Municipal water prices are still relatively affordable at the moment and I would only consider installing a water storage system if water is going to become even more scarce or if water prices are going to increase dramatically in the next few years.

Do you think the water shortage is a passing problem or one that is only going to get worse?

 

[Sinbad]

IMHO it's going to worsen. Lack of investment in infrastructure is going to bite us.

 

[Polly101]

Guess that depends how much you trust the dept of water affairs

If I had space for tanks for rainwater, they would be in yesterday

 

[scienide]

My mom and them have 4x 5000l tanks (with bubble and pump) and have switched off municipal water for the last 3 years already.

Initial investment has almost been paid already.

 

[gsniep]

I am also looking at installing a grey water harvesting and/or rain water storage system in the Pretoria area. Pricing seems to be extremely high, demand is currently at an all time high I suppose

 

[Geoff.D]

It is like all these things -- right now you will pay a premium for the equipment as businesses milk the market.

I agree with Sinbad -- regardless of the drought do it if you have the capital to do it properly. Harvesting grey water is a relatively cheap alternative but not always easy to do. In my case the previous owner had a bee in his bonnet about "ugly drain pipes" and hence the pipes are not easy to get at.
I would be very reluctant to rely only on rain harvested water. If had the tanks in place I would now be sitting with full tanks considering that I had almost 300 mm of rain over about 4 days.

 

[GoB]

Depends how much you are paying for water in a year.
Many homes pay close to zero when excluding garden/pool.

 

[Brandenv8]

I found this image on the World Resources Institute's website:

I think that it is definitely time to install a water storage system. This image shows that estimated water levels are going to decrease even more in Southern Africa and coupled with the fact that I have little faith in the ability of the government to account for the upcoming water shortages, I think I am going to bite the bullet and invest in a water storage system. It looks like its been a good investment for those of you that have one already installed one.

 

[The_Traveller]

I am also looking at installing a grey water harvesting and/or rain water storage system in the Pretoria area. Pricing seems to be extremely high, demand is currently at an all time high I suppose

What prices were you quoted, and for what exactly ?

 

[gsniep]

Grey water management system
1 x 1500L tank (Includes submersible pump and chlorinator)
1 x Outdoor plug point
1 x Wall mounted tap

13K

 

[TheFriendlyGhost]

builders has a promo on the 750l slimline jojo with pump for R4k (a bit high is you break it down - SA Plastikor has the 2200l Jojo tank for R2200, 3 stage filter for R3900 and reverse osmosis setup for R1900)

 

[Man-of-Steel-ZA]

Every odd 20 years or so South Africa experiences a drought. This usually lasts for about 5 years then it breaks.

However, the population is growing but the Government isn't interested in making the Dam Walls higher so that when the drought does break we can capture more water than before.

So its a good idea to get a Jojo if you can afford it, but if you can't, get ready to gamble

 

[Man-of-Steel-ZA]

In a space of 3 years thats Impressive. What about a borehole?

 

[Hamster]

*sigh*

 

[lord-of-war]

My only concern is that if the municipality loadshed water or completely cut off your water you can not drink from the grey water system. So I think a rainwater catchment tank might be a better idea?

 

[DominionZA]

My only concern is that if the municipality loadshed water or completely cut off your water you can not drink from the grey water system. So I think a rainwater catchment tank might be a better idea?

I got a quote on an "inline" 5000 litre tank so there is at least backup when the municipal water fails. Think this is the way forward.

Expect around a week of backup water in the event municipal water fails.

 

[B@rrels]

Our water has been off for 2 days now due due a break in the main line.The water gets pumped up from the river to reservoirs.I have a 1000l tank with a pump and connect the hosepipe to an outside tap and we have enough water for 2 days...mainly toilets and shower.So it is a good idea even if it just a small one

 

[flippakitten]

Do it, if you have the money, do it.

It's not only the fact that you will have a more reliable supply of water, you will also have clean water, meaning free of all the cr@p the municipality put in the water to make it safe to drink and then people still get sick.

It also tastes much better and feels better to shower with, no tight dry skin and what have you.

Anyway, the only thing is make sure you have enough tanks and that depends on your rainfall pattern. If you generally go 6 months without much rain, you'll probably need more tanks and enough catchment area to fill those tanks.

Basically check your catchment area, it takes a lot of rain to fill 20,000 to 30,000 liters of water and it needs constant rain to top up those tanks Calculator

With regards to inline, that' easy, you can just have a tap if you want.

You also don't need to go all out with everything at once.
You can first lay the solid reinforced concrete slab.
Buy a water tank.
Divert all your gutters to the tank
Buy a few more tanks
The pressure pump you can get last because it's quite useless without water in the tanks.

But yeah, over a year you could put all that in place and the most expensive part is the actual tanks and that varies on how many you want.

Once it's all said and done you'll have a, mostly free, cleaner water supply.

If you're costal, it's harder because the salt in the fog and what have you deposits on your roof which can make your water slightly salty.

Source: Living off rain water for 3 years.
Cost saving: No clue because I don't know what water costs but considering it's about R700 to fill up one 5000L tank with municipal water, I am guessing quite a lot