People all over the world are talking about climate change, and in countries not historically blessed with good weather, some are even getting flippant about it, hoping their traditional gloom is all going to change soon. But if “good weather” means plenty of sun and we’re all going to get more of it, what does that mean for an area known as the Sunshine Coast? It means excess, and it means a problem. That, in turn, means we have to think about how to prepare for a water shortage. One of the key elements of that would be setting up an arrangement for bulk water delivery.
Some researchers say that, regardless of climate change, Australia has been experiencing “megadroughts” every so often throughout history. They’re not sure of the exact intervals because historical records only go back a short time, so the information comes from archaeologists and general observation rather than librarians, but once every 150 – 1,000 years, perhaps, and they are called mega because they can last 20 years. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the trucks bringing your bulk water delivery.
How The Government is Helping
The Australian government has, of course, looked into this, and there are initiatives in place, with plenty of wise words and positive thinking. Like all such initiatives, it comes with acres of general ideas, yards of paragraphs and hotlinks, but not much simple, clear advice.
Let’s have a look at some of the easily understandable measures that can be taken.
As an island nation, albeit a huge one, we do have water all around, but it’s of the salty variety and therefore needs extensive treatment before it can be made drinkable. It could be argued that if removing the salt from sea water – AKA desalination – was such a great idea, everyone would have been doing it for centuries, but the fact is that it’s not a five-minute process and it is relatively expensive.
Then there’s recycling, that modern favourite in all spheres of life. This has been going on for many years, perhaps kind of on the quiet, because it’s not something we like to think about. But it is something that has to be done, and it is being done with great success all the time.
Back to Primitive Methods
Water does arrive on this planet from elsewhere, but in unscheduled deliveries known as rain. It stands to reason that one way of securing this for our own use is to catch what falls on our own land and store it somewhere safe where it is not going to evaporate. Under the ground is a favourite. The alternative is to let it soak into the soil, where it will find its way into aquifers, layers of rock, sand or gravel where water accumulates. We can therefore sink boreholes and create wells, just as the pioneers did centuries ago, more in hope than expectation, perhaps, but they had to do something. They would take advantage of streams and rivers, too, but where do these come from? Underground, mainly. It’s previous rainfall that has been working its way through and eventually up to the surface to emerge as the hero. We could have saved it the trouble by catching it before it hit the dust and disappeared.
Efficiency Has to be at Maximum
Even in water systems where there is a good supply, shortages can occur during periodic droughts, and the best anyone can do is ensure we hang on to what there is and not let it escape. That means ensuring piping is in good condition. In extreme conditions, a leak is a crime against the community.
Modern materials can make pipes that don’t have the brittleness of their predecessors, nor the potential to poison us, as good old lead used to do.
There are ways these days of fixing leaks and breaks from inside, even in long pieces of quite big pipe, by means of a resin coating that essentially creates a new pipe within the damaged one.
Meanwhile, Back at the Bulk Water Deliveries
Bulk water deliveries are a reality in many communities, with the trucks full of their precious cargo thundering up and down country roads every day. This is not a scenario from a grim science fiction film; it’s happening now, and it puts smiles on people’s faces. So, if you are concerned about a water shortage that may be fairly mild right now but could easily become critical, it makes sense to find a local water supplier like Fraser Earthworks and get a contract in place. Why not set up a regular water subsccription so you don’t have to worry about continuous orders?
Bottom Line: Read up on Local Provisions and Take Measures Yourself
Local authorities each have their own take on this kind of thing, so look online and see what they’re saying in your area. In the meantime, catch what water you can. Keep it safe and don’t let it escape through faulty plumbing – and if you need a big top-up, get yourself a bulk water delivery.
