Water Wise Watch - February 2023
01.02.23
World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 02 February. The aim of this day is to increase awareness into these critically important ecosystems as well as their value and benefit. This year we will celebrate World Wetlands Day under the theme: "It's time for wetland restoration".
Why is it celebrated?
It is important that we celebrate World Wetlands Day because, as it stands, wetlands are disappearing three times more quickly than forests. Since the 1700s, nearly 90% of the world's wetlands have been degraded. In South Africa particularly, we have lost approximately 50% of our original wetland area as of 2018. With an increase in the demand for land, there is a tendency for development to encroach on wetlands. It has become increasingly imperative that we restore, protect, and conserve our wetlands.
Part of the awareness that comes with World Wetlands Day is understanding the role that wetlands play in the environment as well as society. Firstly, wetlands play a significant role in river catchments for flood control, water storage, water purification, and supporting biodiversity. Furthermore, wetlands provide many cultural benefits to humans as well.
In order to stop the rapid loss of wetlands and promote conservation and restoration efforts, it is urgent that we increase awareness about them, both nationally and internationally.
Sources:
worldwetlandsday.org
DFFE
Witbank Community site visit and training
As part of the work that we do at Water Wise, we visit community groups that have an interest or have established vegetable gardens in order to educate them about the water wise way of gardening. We focus mainly on water conservation techniques in vegetable gardening.
This month, the Water Wise team visited a community we work closely with in Witbank, in order to educate them about various ways of Water Wise watering and irrigation. At this training session, we focused on watering times, as well as ways they could conserve water while also ensuring that their vegetable gardens yield beautiful produce.
Water Wise works closely with the ARC (Agricultural Research Council) on this project, to ensure the community has a sustainable and productive Water Wise vegetable garden.
As you may know, on 14 February 2023, many people around the world will celebrate Valentine's Day and many of those people may either give or receive roses . Although this is a norm, many people might not know how to properly take care of those roses, which might lead to the roses dying prematurely and being thrown away. Here are 3 ways to prevent that:
- Recut the stems - trim approximately 2cm of the stem at a slight angle. This is important because, the shorter the stem is cut, the longer the rose will last as the water has a shorter travelling distance to the rosebud.
- Ensure you keep your vase clean - cut roses can quickly deteriorate and wilt in dirty vases that harbor bacteria. This also includes changing the water in the vase regularly to prevent build up of algae and bacteria. Reuse the old water on plants in the garden.
- Keep the roses in a cool area - flowers won't thrive in warm weather because they'll overheat and dry out. It’s best not to place them in an position that receives direct sunlight or where there is a draught.
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Sources:
goodhousekeeping.com
freshflowers.com
Rain Water Harvesting
The process of concentrating, gathering, storing, and using rainfall on a small scale for productive purposes is known as rainwater harvesting. The various types of rainwater harvesting systems range from the most basic, which are buckets and barrels, to more complex ones, which have pumps, tanks, and purification systems.
Rainwater harvesting systems can provide people with water to use during the dry seasons, especially in light of the water scarcity that has become a problem throughout South Africa. This will ensure that the municipal water systems experience less water demand. You will also save money on your municipal water bill.
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Rain water can be used for a variety of activities that don't need potable water, such as:
- Watering your garden
- Washing your car
- Washing your pets
- Refilling your swimming pool
- Washing your driveways, sidewalks, and windows
- Flushing the toilet
Sources:
rainwaterharvesting.co.za
accurate leak
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02 February: World Wetlands Day 15 February: World Hippopotamus Day 19 February: World Pangolin Day 20 February: World Whale Day |
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