MANY A RAINY DAY SAVES THE DAY

#SMED11

‘Save your money for a rainy day’ is a phrase which has been shared with us from childhood into adulthood. Financial institutions also use this cliche to encourage South Africans to save a percentage of their heart-earned cash for a rainy day (South Africans are notorious for their lack of saving).

During the week the phrase took on a different meaning when Belhar residents were left without running water from Wednesday afternoon until approximately 07h00 the following morning. Interesting how one assumes that the ‘water fairies’ of the City of Cape Town would work their miracle throughout the night to restore the water supply. All this maintenance repairis should ofcourse have taken place whilst we were in slumberland.

On waking up at 05h30 the following morning, we were however met with a rather unpleasant surprise - No running water and to make matter worse, we have not purchased any bottled water the night before.

Enter the hero of the morning:
Background : Last year Dad installed a water tank in the garden, primarily for gardening and swimming pool purposes. At the same time also positively contributing towards a greener Cape Town. The family recently complained when the idea of a second water tank was mooted by Dad – based on the fact that it takes up too much space.

Whilst I was still doing a final tossing around in bed and contemplating on suitable attire for the day, Dad sprang into action and released vast quantities of rainwater from the water tank for early morning household purposes.
I must also mention that it was the first time that water was used for personal hygiene. Where there is a will , there is a way, and I was indeed pleasantly surprised at the good quality of rainwater the tank had held in its big, firm belly.

This experience has taught us valuable lessons and we now have new respect for Dad for his water management endeavours. Most importantly, it pays to save rainy water for a waterless day. In doing so, rainy water can indeed save the day.

There is also another happy ending : the second water tank is now closer to becoming a reality.