#WATWB: Being Water-Wise

Sing up for We Are The World Blogfest!
We Are The World Blogfest

All good wishes for 2018!

This is the first #WATWB blog post for 2018 (the 10th so far). It’s purpose is to spread goodwill around the world where all is mostly troubling not only on the political front but on our planet as well. It’s always cheering to be reminded of the goodness in the world. Our cohosts for this month are, with our thanks –

 Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. Please link with them to your posts and say hello.

I chose this story below as the drought here in South Africa is critical especially in 3 provinces, the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape. Cape Town faces NO WATER mid April. #Day Zero is what it’s called.

I hadn’t really thought about animals and water. Our cat here in Johannesburg has fresh water put out daily and I keep the bird bath in the garden topped up. People in drought stricken areas no doubt ensure their pets keep hydrated. But who would have thought about places of shelter for animals? Is this just taken for granted that this would automatically happen? I confess I hadn’t really thought about it. Hence, this story. 

I’ll be down in Cape Town from Johannesburg when you read this. I was there in early November when already people were getting used to the idea of using water wisely. I learned how to have the quickest of showers, one minute, the water from the shower into a bucket to be used in the toilets. People as from now are being restricted to 50 litres of water per day (although the post says 25 lt). Unless there’s rain, soon, the taps will be dry –

Fiona Barron used the idea of Herman H. le Roux and implemented the drive ... worthy heroes! Showing how we can EACH make a difference, and be water-wise whenever, wherever –

Should you wish to take part in this awareness initiative of spreading good will, a few basic guidelines: posts to be short, below 500 words. Link to a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Paste in an excerpt and tell us why it touched you. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.

 Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on your Post and your Sidebar. Some of you have already done so, this is just a gentle reminder for the others. Help us spread the word on social media. Feel free to tweet, share using the #WATWB hashtag to help us trend.

The link to add your name if you want to share a goodnews story: http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=277138&type=basic;

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/water-day-zero-rescue/

46 Comments on #WATWB

  1. Hope your drought ends soon. Over here, we have spring floods that destroy farms and homes. What a shame we can’t find some kind of balance. We have too much water, and you have too little.

    Much love and positive thoughts to the people of Cape Town. Praying for rain.

    • Thanks JH for coming by! From one extreme to the other! Balance – what’s that again? Things ARE actually looking up water wise in Cape Town and surrounds… action had to be taken and it was and is … thank you for your loving thoughts ..

  2. During intense forest fires in CA recently, many people put out water for the wild creatures who were trying to survive with no food or water. I usually have lots of rain and snow where I live, but not as much the last few years, but there is still moisture in the earth. May there be rain. And may there be snow for the creatures who need cold moisture. Thank you, Susan. I love the ways people find to help each other and the earth in a suffering world.

    • People do come to the rescue, don’t they Elaine, in so many ways. I saw the incredible fires in Ca recently … called Thomas? I forget for the moment. Similar fires in the western cape in June last year and it was heart warming to see animals large and small rescued and cared for –

  3. Thanks for letting us know of such a good cause, Susan. In Australia droughts and water restrictions are familiar to us and I feel a great affinity with your people and other creatures in your land. May they soon see, hear and smell some rain. Thanks for all you do for our WATWB community.

    • Thank you for your lovely comment Simon…I was not aware that Australia has similar concerns and water restrictions. May your wish come true for South Africa as well as plentiful rain for Australia. I returned last evening from Cape Town to the highveld Johannesburg where summer rains are the norm – already the clouds are building. The Western Cape gets their rain in the winter months … believe me, the heat in CT and awareness of water was a trial and a huge challenge to me personally, let alone everyone else ..

  4. Wonderful way to bring awareness to the issue, Susan. I sympathize. In Southern California we have this problem often, due to drought conditions and dry climate. We’re often told when and for how long to water the grass. constantly sent letters about cutting, cutting, cutting on water usage. Important to follow the advice. Hope you get rain soon. Thinking of you and hoping for the best.

    • I’m glad to hear that Southern California also heeds the need to be water wise, Silvia. Capetonians are by and large taking this water crisis pretty seriously. There is no watering of grass or, if there is, it’s grey water. My sister has 4 large water tanks so there is that which helps. Thank you for coming by 🙂

  5. So scary. Being without water is a tremendously scary thing. I never did think about the animals either. I will pray for a slow steady rain that will feed the crops and the aquifers and the animals, Susan. Perhaps the earth will be kind. oxo

    • It’s a tricky one Robbie … water in large plastic bottles is being brought in from other areas eg Drakensberg water. The people I’ve spoken to are pretty meticulous about their use of water, though do tell tales of some of their friends who are still in denial …

  7. We shouldn’t need the threat of a drought to remind us not to waste our resources. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. But the provision for animals is a kindness not many would think of.

    • Too true sweet woman … but this is what it takes sometimes for us to realise the value of something lost. Thankfully, animals were not forgotten – thank you for coming by.

  8. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live in that kind of situation. Sending positive vibes that something will happen to change things for the better. Still, it great that the four-legged members of society are being considered. Thanks for sharing this story and for being a part of the #WATWB community.

  9. So frightening. A great cause to spread awareness. And I also think that anyone could learn from it how not to waste water. Wishing you rain in Cape Town Susan. 🙂 x

  10. The drought situation in your country is heart-breaking and cause of great concern Susan. There is so much that needs to be done to equitably share resources globally so all of us can thrive, and we all could stand to adopt some of the measures that have become essential for conservation in areas of dire crisis. But I am so inspired, and heartened by the difference that vision, commitment and effort can make as witnessed by Water for Paws initiative – a simple and effective call to action. Yes!

    • Water shortages have been on the cards for many years, Deborah – an example of waking up a little late. I remember a few years back there was a drive to send water to some parts of our country – people and business came together in their 1000’s to get water where it was needed. This is happening again … but the concern of scale is larger now and thankfully people like Fiona and Herman thought of our four legged creatures. Thank you for coming by.

  11. water is life! its a great initiative by Fiona and sure makes a huge difference – water is the basic necessity of life and its a difficult situation in drought affected areas. In India there are certain parts of the country, where people travel long distance to get water. I heard about people keeping water for the birds in their compound, Being kind to animals is beautiful, so nice to read the post, thank you for sharing Susan:)

    • Thank you for coming by Genevive. Lovely to hear about water being kept for birds in their compound. Yes, drought is a serious condition which is now getting those who have never questioned it, out of their comfort zones. It’s also true that in rural areas in our country that people have to travel/walk long distances to get water …

  12. This is so beautiful! When people hardly have water to drink, caring for animals and their needs is something not many will care about. Fiona is doing such a wonderful deed for our pawed friends.
    I did read about the water crisis in Cape Town some time ago in the newspapers..I hope it rains well, and soon, and the crisis comes to an end. We, in India, know only too well the plight of people living in drought-affected areas.

    • Thanks Shilpa for coming by. Strange how there are extremes in weather conditions all around the world – I read or see on TV about monsoon weather in India. Thank you for your good wishes re rain …and all good wishes to you and India 🙂

  13. Water is absolutely fundamental to life, and its scarcity can de-rail life totally. Water for Paws is a fabulous initiative. More power to Fiona and her team. And hope you get good rains in Cape Town and this water crisis is sorted real soon!

  14. I’m thankful there are people thinking about and caring for the animals. This post reminds me not to take water for granted. I hope the rains come sooner than expected.

  15. I’ll think positive thoughts for rain for Cape Town. I just watched the news and Paris is in flood watch, which makes me wonder why there has to be such extremes in weather.

  16. I had seen news of the drought there. I wouldn’t have thought of animal shelters either. I hope your area soon sees relief. It must be very scary.

    • Thanks Merril … as I type here at my sister’s home in Cape Town the trees and palms and other look healthy enough and rather lovely swaying in the breeze. The grass though is virtually non-existent … Yes, I think the Cape is catching a wake-up call and being more cautious about the use of this precious commodity ..

  17. Droughts are scary things. I love this initiative, but am amazed that Day Zero even exists. Still, knowing that it does, and that some people are working to help animals, makes me happy. Great choice for your latest installment in #WATWB.

    • Day Zero is a reality Ally Bean … I don’t know how this will be averted. There are solutions, Israel has provided them before (sea water desalination) but because of the pathetic BDS initiative, SA will not accept it. There is much blaming going on politically. Cape Town and surrounds has been aware of potential disaster for quite some time. Thank you for coming by.

  18. Dear Susan, What an excellent initiative! Water for Paws is such a wonderful and inspiring story of hope. I had no idea of the water shortage and the shocking predicted #DayZero in mid-April. Thank goodness for people like Herman, Fiona and the others who are helping in their own special way to put our beloved animal needs up there beside our human needs.

    My Jungian bent of being wonders what it means for South Africa (unconsciously) to be consciously experiencing such a great drought in devastating and life-threatening ways? Outwardly the living waters appear to be drying up, yet inwardly? There is much to consider here. I sense a tidal wave of change approaching! Love and blessings, Deborah.

    • O my Deborah! Outer drought, inner springs? What a lovely way to think of this! Thank you :). Even world-wide, because of the necessity of it, we’re looking at things in a different way? Perhaps as I write, it’s a getting down to basics – no bad thing at all. More awareness of the essential things of life. My sister Debora has many large 5 lt plastic bottles of water – the irony though of the water required to make those plastic bottles – Blessings to you Deborah 🙂 xx

  19. Hi Susan, A water shortage such as that being experienced in Cape Town is very distressing. I do hope at-risk people are also being looked after. I hope just enough soaking rain falls before you reach Ground Zero. It doesn’t sound good. Thanks for sharing this story of hope.

    • Thanks Norah – the next several weeks will be critical. The southern cape is not an area that gets rains in summer, they have winter rainfall, unlike up north where I live, summer rains and storms are par for the course. Wonderful rains in the last few days on he highveld. As my sister said on arrival at her home earlier today, our indigenous people are used to bucket and water washing to keep clean – (in the apartheid past) if they can, we can …

  20. Water is absolutely necessary for survival. I had no idea the drought in South Africa was so critical, which prompts me to pray for rain in your part of the world. Blessings, Susan!

    • Thanks Marian for your prayers. I’m down in Cape Town where it is critical. Yesterday there was a national call for prayers at 1.00 p.m. for Cape Town and surrounds. Up in Johannesburg we’ve had glorious rains. Mind you, I recall that California suffers from drought every now and then. I got my dates wrong – this #WATWB post should have come up only tomorrow ..

  21. Susan, I totally support water conservation, but I am stumped on something. I have septic here, so all my water goes back into my soil within a few feet of my home. Is it still important to conserve then? I pump up from the aquifer and put it right back down, right? Thanks!

    • Hi Beth, I’ll get back to you on that – my sister will know. I remember my husband saying that water from eg taps etc goes back into the ground anyway ..

  22. Thanks Susan – I remember a drought in the 80s in Jhb … and even in London in 1976 … not as bad as your SA CT 2018 one though … I do hope it rains there soon. We can all save water and be careful … but as you say so often we don’t think about it …

    Have a happy trip down there … and it will be interesting to hear more thoughts about what’s going on as the days progress – I do hope it’s not disastrous … cheers Hilary

    • Hi Hilary thanks for coming by! (I posted a day early – got my scheduling wrong). I’m here in CT, my sister’s garden looks very dry, yet still pretty with its newly laid stones and wooden pathways and little bursts of colour of drought resistant plants. The trees are green – strange to say but there is such a thing as a green drought. As you know, the saying ‘n boere kan altyd ‘n plan maak’ – let’s hope 🙂

      • Hi Susan – we do get it in the news here .. but could be three sources … Beeb, CBC and States … and I see/hear it on the World News too. I’m glad your sister’s place is looking well for now – there are drought resistant plants – they are lovely.

        Certainly let’s hope the rains come … there are areas that have so much – I can vouch for that at the moment, and Paris … Helen Zille I saw on the tv yesterday I think advising about the situation … and how plans are being put in place to cope … take care – Hilary

        • Hi Hilary, thanks for coming by. As you know I am in Cape Town at the moment (in one of the suburbs). The summer heat is something else too, 36 degrees. Am rather looking forward to returning home 🙂

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