Food-producing gardens in drou

Food-producing gardens in drought-stricken Cape Town offered a new lease on life

With dam levels at a devastating 12%, Capetonians’ gardens have been hit hard. However, one initiative is helping those most in need.

Food-producing gardens in drou

The Western Cape has faced the driest year in history as a result of the worst drought in years. Although most Western Cape residents are aware of the shortage of water and the dire situation we are in, not all drought-related problems are considered by the average South African.

Feeding schemes that feed people who have limited resources and rely on the produce from sustainable gardens are struggling to keep afloat in the drought. These gardens are the lifeline for hundreds of people, and without them, communities will suffer tremendously.

Shoprite, along with Urban Harvest, has installed greywater systems that feed the gardens that produce food for the feeding schemes at two places so far – Lily Haven and Iris House. The greywater systems allow recycled water to water the gardens, ensuring that potable water is not used for irrigation as well as lowering the water bill for the gardens.

The quantity of water needed for the garden is audited by Urban Harvest and then the quality of the greywater is checked to determine from where the greywater can be safely and easily collected.

Once this information is gathered, Urban Harvest custom designs a suitable system. Both Iris House and Lily Haven have three-filter systems including a wetland filter which leaves the water clear and suitable for microjet irrigation and vegetables.

Ben Getz from Urban Harvest says, “The systems we have installed reuse 4500 litres of grey water per month on the food garden, so in essence, the systems are saving that amount of potable water being used for irrigation every month.”

Getz believes that every home should reuse greywater, but acknowledges that the scale and process will differ.

He says, “There are plenty of low technology and DIY systems online as well as the simplest bicker system where, for example, people wash dishes or shower in a bucket and then carry the bucket into the garden and water the grass.”

Getz believes that educating people about the responsibility they have to conserve water is vital. He is a strong believer in the fact that everyone who is able to should be growing their own food, but realises that watering that food is not easy or responsible.

He offers a solution by saying, “The only sustainable way of irrigating home gardens is to reuse water. Showing people how this is done is a necessary education and a definite inspiration for those who are ready to take responsibility.”

Sue van der Linde, Founder of Iris House has noticed what a big difference the installed greywater systems are making.

She, like Getz, believes the best case scenario involves consumers using only biodegradable detergents. Although for many this is an impractical additional cost, Iris House has committed to using only biodegradable washing powder and has noticed the results immediately.

“There is now plenty of water for the vegetable garden. The garden produce is enjoyed by the children attending the hospice session, as we cook the vegetables harvested for the children. Leftover vegetables (there are always plenty) are then sent out to our families in need. This is often the only source of fresh vegetables our families have.”

The spokesperson for Shoprite shares these thoughts, “For Shoprite, this is part of our commitment to being a business with heart and working to support our communities. These food gardens are key to our sustainable solutions to fighting hunger.”

See also: Watch heartbreaking aerial footage of the empty Theewaterskloof dam and Level 4 water restrictions could be coming