News
Could An Iceberg Help Solve Cape Town’s Water Crisis?
We blogged a few weeks ago about the water crisis in Cape Town, with the city expected to have run out of water by April 12th – a date that was dubbed Day Zero. In the end, thanks to extreme water management solutions rolled out by the authorities, the city was saved… but the question remains – how long has it been saved for?
Water shortages in the region were put down to the drop in rainfall coupled with 20 years of population growth. Cape Town has also been hit with the worst drought on record, going on over the last three years – but the city’s population has climbed by almost 80 per cent since 1995, currently standing at about 4.3 million.
According to CNN, water restrictions are still in place in the metropolis, with residents having to limit water usage to 50 litres a day each. If winter rain doesn’t replenish the reservoirs, Day Zero could return – with taps potentially running dry as early as the start of next year.
But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to noted salvage master Nicholas Sloane – who thinks it may be possible to bring an iceberg all the way from Antarctica to the coast of Cape Town, where it could then melt down to be used as water.
Speaking to the news source, Mr Sloane (who spearheaded the salvage operation of Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia a few years ago) said that local government thought it was a “crazy idea” but the fact remains that a single iceberg weighing in at around 70,000 tonnes would provide almost 150 million litres of water a day for 12 months.
As a result, almost one-third of Cape Town’s water demands would be met – more than desalination and emergency plans already being considered.
While this might not be the perfect solution, it’s clear that something must be done and this is also a news story that businesses and homeowners alike should take to heart. Reducing water wastage is a must and there’s no denying that this is a global concern, with water scarcity a problem for all – not just one city in South Africa.
If, as a business, you’d like to find out more about how to conserve water and reduce the amount you use, get in touch with us here at H2O Building Services today. We have more than 20 years’ experience in our field and are perfectly placed to help you manage your water usage and detect and repair leaks – which will not only help protect our water supplies but also have the added benefit of reducing your bills into the bargain.
Monitoring your water bills is one of the best ways to spot leaks early and have them repaired before they become a big issue for your company. If you’d like to find out more about how we can help, give the friendly and experienced team a call today.