For some time we have been warned of a shortage of drinking water in the region. It has been dryer than usual for more than 2 years now. Especially during the wintertime, there is less precipitation so that the groundwater reserves are not being replenished. If your drinking water source is not deep enough, you have a problem: no more drinking water.
During the farmers dinners we organized the last few weeks, the topic -shortage of drinking water- was often discussed. A number of neighbours actually had a shortage of drinking water, which made us feel nervous! After all, we consume a lot of water: our own house, 2-holiday apartments. Sometimes 20 people altogether and if we have some visiting friends who also stay overnight even more.
When a guest knocked on the door this morning and said no water came out of the tap, we were not surprised either… But what to do? Firstly: look at the municipality’s website. Unfortunately, nothing to be found about what to do if the water stops running from your own source. Fortunately, we recalled that the local rescue service could fill the resource. The first time for free and the next time you have to pay for it. So Willem called the local rescue service and explained the situation. Problem solved. The local rescue service hero would handle the refill. Yes, succeeded! A couple of hours without water we would survive anyway.
After a while, Willem thought it to be a splendid idea to turn off the pump for sure while the well was dry. But to his surprise, the pump was off! He turned the pump on and… yes, the water ran again! One of the children of our overnight friends had turned the pump off! So: we still have water in the well, at least for the time being. Luckily Willem could still cancel the truck with water at the rescue service.
This and last week’s message in the newspaper: we use more than the sources that Mother Earth gives us, makes us aware that we need to deal more carefully with the natural resources. During the renovation that’s coming up, we’ll take this challenge: we will install water-saving showers, which can filter and recycle the water. Maybe we can install a “grey water circuit”, so we can use that water to flush the toilets? We need to reduce our water consumption!
And you? What will you do to reduce your water consumption?