What we take for granted with water...

Many times in the past five weeks I have observed and commented on the subject of water. In Australia, the shortage of water is usually a subject that just about everyone is very much aware of. In the cities as well as the country. Some are less affected than others. And, in some areas, flash flooding is their main problem. We, in Vancouver on the other hand seem, to be in that very desirable spot, right in the middle.

So do not complain about too much rain, it may be annoying, but it does not affect your livelihood nor does it make you consider selling your home and relocating.

After rubbing shoulders with people from all parts of Australia on tours etc., driving down a portion of the east coast, and looking around Maryborough, I would say this town is somewhat typical of many, many towns in Australia, with some exceptions.

Rod, over the years has installed a somewhat complicated water system. Of course they have "city water" piped in, on a meter. That water usage is very strictly controlled by the local government. Watering of lawns and plants, either by sprinkling or hand watering has long been forbidden. You can use the city to wash your windscreen, [windshield], and lights, that is it.

Many Australian native plants and shrubs, even in the bush look like they are naturally dry and/or dying. About the only plants and shrubs left in most gardens that we have seen have that same 'hanging on by a thread appearance'. Plants that required hand watering are just about gone. Some larger shrubs and trees are gone or going. That is accepted.

Many people have installed large water tanks on their property. They are readily available, anywhere in size from large plastic recycled containers holding 50 litres to large, and I mean large tanks that can hold half a swimming pool of water. Even some commercial buildings have tanks to catch the run-off from their roofs. I do not know what they do with that water, possibly supplement the city water.




Running through Maryborough is a large "main drain". It is a bricked-in ditch about 15 feet across and six feet deep. This was put in maybe 100 years ago to reduce the flooding in the town when they got heavy rains. It will still get water in it but flooding on a large scale is a thing of the past I believe.


In spite of this drying trend that obviously has been going on for decades, people are still hopeful of a return to "normal" rainfalls. So, people install very elaborate and ingenious in-yard water systems. Rod's system is one example, although his may be more complicated than would suit most people. Here is Rods system. He has the capacity to store about 10,000 litres. At this time, after two serious rains, they are all nearly full.


1. The top portion of his metal roof collects water in one tank that is used for drinking water, plus whatever else they want to use it for.


2. A portion of the lower portion of his roof runs into an underground system of solid pipes a foot or two deep that has feeder lines running out to water large trees.


3. A second tank collects water from his garage. This water is also useable for anything they want.


4. A third tank collects water from their "shed/garage" that is used for anything they want, the overflow feeds the fish ponds.


5. Rod has installed hoses on the bottom of some of his down spouts where hoses are permanently attached leading to strategic garden areas, and which during a rain, he will move to other shrubs/trees/plants.


6. There is a large black hose that takes the washing machine water to shrubs that can live on that type of water. Lyn has changed her washing solution to one without phosphates. So, part of the clothes washing routine is to move the hose to some area that looks like it needs a drink!


The fish pond overflow tank flows into one fish pond then into another and then, if it rains enough, into the lowest pond where the only inhabitant left is our friend the Banjo frog who recently emerged from we know not where.



Invariably when chatting with friends or clerks etc., the subject of the recent rains come up. It seems to be very localized and sadly I do not think it is going to get better. We may have brought a bit of rain with us, temporarily, but that is about it.

There are many solutions bandied about. One interesting one is to pipe water to lower southern Australia, from Tasmania. The idea is to have a large underwater pipe line taking water out of a constantly refilling lake, into the pipe. Gravity and elevation at the source would do the rest. Sounds interesting. The distance from Tasmania to the mainland is 600 kilometres.

Another idea is to run a pipe-line from the top of Western Australia, or Queensland, where this is ample water to the dry areas.

Desalination is another possible solution. I suspect the political will is not there to really address any of the proposals. I suppose that when Sydney and Canberra, [the capital], are watering their gardens in wash water and driving dirty limos they may look at it in a more serious light.

Count your blessings folks, and keep those showers short!

At least that is the way I see it.

PS I am always on the lookout around here for dangerous spiders, snakes, lizards and other nasty things. Early this morning I got the fright of my life when I was out inspecting the bridge I discovered a crocodile looking at me from under it.


Rod had put the "floating crock head" there earlier! Probably to get back at me for the bashing I gave him in yesterday's blog.