What are your options if your taps run dry?

When people talk about the biggest problems in South Africa, load shedding is one of the first things they will mention. This is understandable, too, when your home or business doesn't have an alternative energy solution, your life will come to a halt. However, in some parts of South Africa, water supply is a much bigger issue.

"While it's quite easy to purchase an inverter or generator and gas appliances to see yourself through load shedding, it's a bit more difficult to organise an alternative water solution," says Gerhard Kotzé, CEO of the RealNet property group.

"Thankfully, if you live in a water-scarce area where you can't rely on the municipality to supply you with water consistently, there are still options available to you to prevent your taps from running dry."

"If you are faced with this situation, the most simple solution would be to purchase and install a water storage tank connected to the municipal water line. When the municipality is able to provide your home with water, the tank will fill up, and when it can't, you can use the water stored in the tank. This is the cheapest solution in this regard, as you can purchase a 5250L tank for just under R6,000."

"Rainwater harvesting systems are the next step up. They start from around R10,000 due to extra costs associated with the filters and pumps and are a great solution in most parts of South Africa due to our high levels of rainfall."

"If you have a bit more money to spend and want to go with the most reliable option, you should consider drilling a borehole. This won't be for everyone, though, as you'll need to check if you have groundwater available by conducting a geohydrological survey, which costs around R2,500. Unfortunately, a borehole drilling project can cost anywhere from R30,000 to R150,000 depending on how deep the hole needs to be drilled, the surface being drilled into, and the type of filters and pumps you will need."

"Another option to consider that can help you save your stored municipal water or rainwater is to install a greywater recycling system. This takes the water you use when you shower, wash the dishes, or use your washing machine and filters it so it can be used to flush your toilets or water your garden. Although, this isn't a cheap option either, as purchasing a greywater system and getting it professionally installed could cost you anywhere between R50,000 and R100,000."

"While water scarcity isn't a problem in most areas of South Africa, it's good to be educated about the options available to you in the case that your municipality does run into water issues or if you are considering going off-grid.