Water Solution available

[Justloadit]

Its all about cost. In agriculture the volume of water used to irrigate is mind boggling. The amount of precipitated water just will not be enough for the application.

I think the best way would be targeted plant watering, but currently automated processes are not available and labour and equipment for this application are far too expensive to implement.

I heard of a local youngster, who has patented an idea in which seedlings are placed in a cardboard belt, with the correct distance for the type of seedling. At each point the seed is, it has a colour strip. SO when you place it into the ground, the colour strip is just above the ground. When watering one simply drops a few water squirts at each point. The card board strip then guides the water to the seedling. The cardboard also retains the water keeping the seed moist. The cardboard is manufactured out of biodegradable material which includes the correct nutrients for the particular seed. All printing is of the organic form and of the type to form part of the nutrients for the seed. Typical success yields varied from 60% for carrots to 100% for lettuce and spinach. The cardboard is then biodegraded into the soil where the roots of the seed feed to grow faster.

I soon as I find a link I will post it.

[Electrode]

Consider the cost to retrieve gold beneath the earth. We cannot eat gold. I see this technology as a possibility with the potential to revolutionise agriculture. It empowers the farmer to move away from restrictions and potentially harmful water sources to a system that offers quality and quantity along with availability.

Food security is paramount and it is long term unlike mines and other heavy industry. In 80 years there may not be any coal left but there will still be the need for agriculture. Introducing the technology will allow for development and progress.

It is true that the technology cannot provide the volumes needed. However it is a starting point and as technology moves forward it may well be able to provide larger volumes in future with lowered cost.

Not pursuing this technology may end up costing more in the form of imports, causing us to be permanently dependant on the first world for food.

[Justloadit]

Its all about balance. It may be cheaper to import than to invest into the technology.

When there is an abundance of capital, capital for this type of investment is not an issue as you are preparing for a future event, however when you do not have the capital, and are living on the bread line, even a R1000 seems to be a major hurdle to climb over.

[Electrode]

Its all about balance. It may be cheaper to import than to invest into the technology.

When there is an abundance of capital, capital for this type of investment is not an issue as you are preparing for a future event, however when you do not have the capital, and are living on the bread line, even a R1000 seems to be a major hurdle to climb over.

Being dependant isn't balance it is a risk. If for any reason that country does not want to provide anymore, you will be left with a very desperate situation. A situation that can be avoided. Yes water purification is a option but we do not have the infrastructure to transport large amounts of water from one destination to another.

With this technology we can develop local infrastructure that can become less expensive over time. We may even develop our own systems locally. Abandoning this technology isn't an option. We simply cannot afford it. Our population is growing alongside the world population, we need to contribute to the food sector. If we do not and other countries buy up all the food for their own use, the situation can become dire.

I deleted the section about Zimbabwe being stronger then the Rand but I see that it remained. So now I am forced to elaborate on it. The meaning is clear... We are to become the weakest currency in the world and our buying power as individuals will be greatly diminished. When this happen food prices will go up and importing will become a bigger cost to us as a country.

[Justloadit]

and as the currency devaluates, so does the the affordability become even more difficult.

Since when has any government used logic to make and decisions?

Desalination using the sun to me is still the cheapest option.

One can lay a pipeline to pump the sea water to wherever it is needed, and at the point of consumption it can be made drinkable.
It does not have to be a large diameter pipeline, as the water being pumped is purely for drinking. Simply follow the current fuel line from the coast to Gauteng, or follow the gas line from Mozambique to the MTN head office.

[Justloadit]

This heat generation plant may be the answer both for electricity and for water purification.
Molten Salt storage - solar reserve

[Justloadit]

A smaller system then
Molten salt for roof top storage

[Electrode]

I agree commonsense is in short supply... Simply stated the longer we wait the harder it will become to implement any type of solution. I also agree that the systems will become unobtainable. But as a country we are down but not out. I do believe that if people take these systems seriously and our engineers and inventors stepup we can definitely develop a plausible solution.

I also agree with you that solar power will become our only option as individuals and maybe some companies will build larger systems.

I think people will figure something out. We are very resourceful when it comes to invention.

[bones]

sorry to say this boet but as
a country we are screwed

i want to move to australia
but cant because it is to
expensive

1 CNY = 0.221386 AUD
1 AUD = 4.51701 CNY

1 CNY = 2.55096 ZAR
1 ZAR = 0.392009 CNY

1 AUD = 11.5227 ZAR
1 ZAR = 0.086785 AUD

i cannot afford that now
with a million rand i end
up going to Australia
broke

[bones]

Durban – More water restrictions are on the cards for KwaZulu-Natal, after the uMgungundlovu District Municipality said there was a "compelling need" to have them in place.

A committee to evaluate water restrictions has been set up.

The uMgungundlovu District Municipality said it was forewarning businesses, ratepayers, and communities about the compelling need to introduce water restrictions to alleviate the effects of the ongoing drought.

news article

does anyone recall a project where
we did Cloud seeding

maybe that could help the situation

[Electrode]

This as been sitting in my inbox for a while now.

water restrictions still applies

Offences are punishable with fines of R1 500 or more. Offences include the use of irrigation systems for gardens and lawns, washing of paved areas and vehicles with a hose pipe and not a bucket, and any other activity wasting water unnecessarily.

Fines will seemingly act as a good deterrent however how will the fine contribute towards replacing the water?

Discouraging behaviour with fines lack effectiveness. It is really interesting to note how eager institutions are to gather funding in the form of contributions or fines, but how slow they are to find and implement solutions.

[Justloadit]

Its all about cost. In agriculture the volume of water used to irrigate is mind boggling. The amount of precipitated water just will not be enough for the application.

I think the best way would be targeted plant watering, but currently automated processes are not available and labour and equipment for this application are far too expensive to implement.

I heard of a local youngster, who has patented an idea in which seedlings are placed in a cardboard belt, with the correct distance for the type of seedling. At each point the seed is, it has a colour strip. SO when you place it into the ground, the colour strip is just above the ground. When watering one simply drops a few water squirts at each point. The card board strip then guides the water to the seedling. The cardboard also retains the water keeping the seed moist. The cardboard is manufactured out of biodegradable material which includes the correct nutrients for the particular seed. All printing is of the organic form and of the type to form part of the nutrients for the seed. Typical success yields varied from 60% for carrots to 100% for lettuce and spinach. The cardboard is then biodegraded into the soil where the roots of the seed feed to grow faster.

I soon as I find a link I will post it.

Finally found a link on radio 702
Claire Reed, at 16, simplified food growing with her award-winning invention

The home website
Real Gardening

[Electrode]

Finally found a link on radio 702
Claire Reed, at 16, simplified food growing with her award-winning invention

The home website
Real Gardening

Thank you for the links it is much appreciated.

As a personal update, I got most of what I need to build my first small scale Warka Water Tower. I hope it will give me some indication on how it will preform.

[IanF]

As a personal update, I got most of what I need to build my first small scale Warka Water Tower. I hope it will give me some indication on how it will preform.

This is interesting can you keep us updated with progress and photos.

[Electrode]

This is interesting can you keep us updated with progress and photos.

If it is a success I will gladly share it with you. If it is a disaster I would humbly shy away.