A couple of years ago we moved onto a country property that only has
tank water. We were a little worried as we’d never lived on tank water before,
but we soon got the hang of checking the water levels and calling in the
experts when required. So when dirt began pouring out of the taps, we were more
than a little concerned.
We knew we were low on water as it hadn’t rained in the Byron region for
months, but the water gauge said we still had about a quarter of a tank and I’d
already had two loads of water delivered. However, it’s all well and good for
the gauge to say you have a quarter of a tank, but if the gauge is broken, you
can end up with no water. That’s right, we didn’t have a drop. We are now wait
listed for water delivery – it’s a 21 day wait! The shock of this was
compounded as I had six children sleeping over at the time.
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| Byron Lighthouse |
So, when you have no water, you have to move out of your house. Sounds
easy right, but not in Byron Bay during school holidays. It took me hours to
find anything. We moved into a lovely caravan park but the only cabin available
was tiny. It was hilarious fitting us all in – it must be designed for families
with very little children.
Anyway by the time this post is published, we will have moved home as we
have had a tiny bit of rain. But we will have to strictly ration our water. My
teenage daughter is horrified by the concept of three-minute showers, but as
much as moving out was an adventure, I’m not keen to do it regularly. So, three-minute
showers it is and we have a much greater appreciation of this scarce resource.
Have you ever had a situation where you have had to move out due to some disaster?
Jen, that's so rough! It's dry as a bone here (further down the coast) and I'm glad on not on tank water. Fingers crossed we don't ever have to move because of an emergency. Some of our neighbours have had to do that after storm damage.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly an adventure, Annie. I had respect for water before but now I'm am incredibly conscious of every drop.
DeleteWe've been living on tank water for fifteen years so I can commiserate, Jen. Will have to teach you the knock technique to guage levels, hubby swears by it :-)
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like a good and easy system, Amy. I'll have to come to visit again soon.
DeleteOh Jennifer
ReplyDeleteWe have not had to move for any disaster thank heavens but I have lived on tank water well only for holidays you see my grandparents had a hobby farm on the Central Coast and we had 1 tank just the tin one and it was not very big so school holidays the little house held up to 10 people and we learnt to be very careful with water and also learnt to drink water with wrigglers in it LOL we did have a cow that gave us plenty of mick to drink and yes Poppy hadn't finished the bathroom so it was tub washes while we were there :)
We need rain badly lets hope it comes very soon
Have Fun
Helen
Sounds like those were fun days, Helen. Yes, praying for more rain.
DeleteI've never lived on tank water, so I can only imagine how careful you must have to be! It's interesting to come to Canada, where the idea of water restrictions is totally foreign to people. But then again, every country has its challenges. I'd never thought ice storms could be a thing until I came here. Thankfully it's never affected my living situation, as I've been in apartment buildings for the last 7-8 years.
ReplyDeleteIce storms could be interesting to live through, Stef!!
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