Recycling vs IWRM vs Real Estate

It is pleasing to note how the different agencies are working on trying to promote environmental initiatives in their areas and spheres of influence. The following link is to a news paper article in Herald Newspaper in Zimbabwe http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45037:recycling-the-answer-&catid=41:business&Itemid=133. The article caught my attention as i realised that their focus was on the issues of how the waste generated will result in diseases such as cholera and typhoid. To me this made me realise how there was a link between the waste generated and where it is disposed of with the water resources hence needing the understanding how the waste management sector can be considered as a stakeholder when water resources plans are being established. This leads to the question in the developing countries why has it taken so long to realise the importance of the process of recycling and how it being introduced has a significant impact to the water resources. The impact of this may be after a significant investment but like what most philosophers say "No pain no gain."

As water professionals or members of the communities what are we doing to promote recycling and in turn protect our water resources because the more we produce waste the more it has become evident that the councils are failing to cope with the waste that is being produced hence money is channeled to other sector which will have taken centre stage at that particular moment. It can also be said that with the current situation the problem with most organisations in developing countries is that they are mostly re active and hence are not in the business of planning on the forthcoming issues. This in most cases this has been due to absence of funding to be able to introduce proactive initiatives for example recycling. There is need for policies and laws to be implemented to allow the utilisation of recycled materials. Working in the irrigation sector we were exposed to a company that was dealing in High Density Poly Ethane (HDPE) but using recycled materials. Funny thing was their prices where reasonably lower but it was not the company that sold most of the product by virtue of people not aware of the impact that the using recycled material would have in the long run.

Coming to the issue of Real Estate i have come to the realisation that at household level there is little that is being done and the problem has significantly affected the water resources management. The detrimental effects when it comes to the Real Estate sector is the loss in the aesthetic state of an area. With respect to the sector the appearance of a property has proven to be a significant trait that allows a property to be sold or leased quicker than others. Another issue that has also been a problem with respect to the absence of recycling in the different properties is the disposal of the solid waste in the drainage systems. In recent years in countries like Zimbabwe the problem of urban flooding has mainly been propelled by the blockage of the drainage system which has the capacity of transporting high discharge which in most cases of late has been made to runoff on the surface leading to the destructive impacts that have been experienced.

So where do we stand in the field of IWRM and Real estate when it comes to issues of recycling. Is there anything that is being done to integrate the management of solid waste or we continue to work as sectors. The principle of integrated approach although has been advocated for there is need to sit down with all sectors. In a workshop i recently attended it was pleasing to note that as technocrats in the water sector we realised how significant it was to bring on board a wider base of stakeholders and not only the water professionals that were present. As a recommendation there is need for developing countries to move into more proactive strategies and recycling being one of them.

What is the role of the community in environmental sustainability

Poor storm drainage system

Just the other day i was watching a talk show program on the Zambian Broadcasting channel and the discussion really caught my attention. They were looking at the role of the city councils in service delivery. The major issue of contention where the poor delivery services as was said by the member of the communities that were calling. During the course of program there was a video clip that was shown of uncollected waste that was piling up next to the common market which from the report was were most of the people bought their vegetables. The waste was so much that it was now spilling into the stalls that were in the vicinity. Outbreaks of cholera and typhoid related diseases where also mentioned. in response the representatives of the local authority said the problem was that they had just introduced a new strategy that looked into the collection of the waste and removal of the waste, only that they needed capitalisation of their operations and were encouraging the local communities to pay their bills as well as the waste collection bill such that they would be able to offer the service. A caller then came in and fuming at the authorities cited how the local authorities were leaving some areas which had poor road and the waste was piling up. Hence a tug off war of words erupted which meant that by the end of the program there was no solution between the two parties involved.

Piling Solid Waste

Based on this it was important to note a number of issues which just got me concerned and ask where is the role of the different parties in this situation. Firstly i wonder when the owners of the stalls continue to dump the waste on an already filled container does it not cross the mind of the individual that there is something that needs to be done. I know it is the role of the city council but does that mean people are willing to put their lives at risk waiting for the "incompetent" councils to come and do their job. This further made me realise that the individualistic personality that exists in most people in Africa will always be a threat to environmental sustainability. My thinking would be the owners of the stalls would come together and raise money that would see their area cleared of this waste then follow up with the council by either not paying for that month's bill for that service. At least the problem has been solved unlike waiting as the amount increases which will mean a greater cost.

Inaccessible road

Secondly was the issue of the non collection of the waste in areas that were not accessible. Hence the reason why i feel that when living in these areas there is need to understand the area and not to shift the blame on others and feel as though you are not part of the problem. If you build in an area that has not been serviced or in most cases in developing areas how do you expect the service provision to be as that in planned areas. It is time communities take up the challenge and realise they are part of the problem.

Once living in Harare the street lights where we were living were not working and i found it funny when one individual said "I will not contribute to fix them that is the job of the council." To me that was not justified as the risk of theft and robbery was not on the council but to him.

In conclusion there is need to have communities and property owners taking up their role in promoting sustainable utilisation of the different environmental services. For more information you can contact us on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com and will will be happy to provide solutions to the problems that you will be having.

When rains hit hard who suffers the most?????

April 11, 2012 can be remember in Dar es Salaam as the day that a Tsunami was supposed to make land by 5pm but unfortunately it was never so. Although that was so the wrath of the rains associated with the Tsunami were felt resulting in a number of problems. For one i would testify the full impact of the rain can still be seen on my certificates and passport which i hope will not give me problems. Anyway the question is when all this happens who suffers the most, but what can be done.

Coming from Masaki proved to be a bigger problem than it should be. It seemed as though the rains were the ordinary Dar summer rains but without an umbrella there was seriously no cover except the bus stop shed and the occasional umbrellas of the vendors on the street. This made me think while i was under the shed when i saw an elderly woman who unfortunately survives on alms to make matters worse has only one leg. Although in the drenching rain she had no alternative but to move in the rain to be able to get sustenance.

 While there there was an element of excitement that filled my body while i saw cars passing at full speed and splashing water. Wow it was a beauty, but then my mind got professional and said is this a good or bad thing that is when i critic-ed the situation and came to the conclusion that this was actually the result of water not being drained and hence a cause for concern to the travelling motorist. The rain continued to pound the earth and i heard no choice but to run across the road which seemed to be a kilometer as cars started coming and i could not cross, at the same time i had run away from the protection of the bus stop shed. eventually i managed to cross and get to the next bus stop which had the similar situation with people waiting to board the buses that were on their way to the different locations. The next bus stop was the one that was tricky as i also had to cross the road, but with the help of the traffic lights i managed to get to the bus stop only soaked to the bone. I entered the Dala dala (public transport bus), which was the point when i realised that i was all wet dripping to the extent i could not even sit down.

 The day continued but with amazement i realised how the situation was when the traffic came to a stand still as a result of the flooded roads. The speed of the moving traffic was reduced to 5km/h and in some instances a total halt. This was sad to note as most of the pedestrians where seen moving in the muddy water which could be seen to be carrying a lot of debris. Coming back to IWRM i realised the ability to think holistically that is when i realised that a number of sectors were as a result of the situation put to their knees as some of the shops actually ended up closing as the water overwhelmed their efforts to try and either mop it or through it out of the premises.


 Health wise i realised that my high school biology talked of water borne diseases being more pronounced when such situations take place. so coming back to the questions, When the rains hit hard who is the one that suffers i guess my answer came by just looking at the people that were walking in the water exposed to a number of diseases. But further to this what is a person to do when there is no place to hide or in another instance does not have an awareness of the impact that the situation at had has on their health.

Further to this it got me thinking that is it correct to continue blaming the local council on the condition of the drainage or the Meteorological office for not giving info on the rains in advance because from my experience even when all is said and done we still have accidents and deaths occurring. This leaves me questioning whether we are doing our part in educating the communities on their roles. Is the awareness enough to protect both property and life. Even in the Bajaj home one person was adamant not to leave their house which is 200m from the ocean all because they did not hear the message them-self. I believe the human being is dynamic and that dynamism is the cause for most of the problems and needs to be looked into in order to protect the environment, human race and our property.

In conclusion this was just a description of the day of a pedestrian when an alert for a Tsunami had been announced. Views are based on personal experience and can be open to critic, which is kindly and openly welcome. For we endeavor to protect and save the world we live in. For any information contact me on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com and will be willing to assist in any way possible.

Causes of discolored water or stains

There is a time when the color of water coming from the faucet is exactly note that appealing and sometimes this is a cause for concern yet in some instance there is just need to know what is happening and how it can be controlled or stopped. It was important to have a look at this and make readers aware of the problems that they may have and how they can be able to fix them.

1.      Cloudy or milky white

This is one common problem which I actually realized personally was always a concern with colleagues when we were at school attributing the problem to too much chlorine, which in actual fact is not correct. Cloudy or milky water is typically caused by bubbles in the water. This condition is not a public health concern. Cloudy water occurs more often in the winter months when drinking water is cold. This is because colder water holds more air. When the water warms up in the house the air escapes hence making the cloudiness temporary and clears quickly after water is drawn from the tap. Recommendations: Let water stand until it clears and if it clears from the bottom the condition is caused by air. Also go to the farthest or highest tap from the point where the water enters and let the cold water run for a few minutes to help the air bubbles escape.

2.      Yellow, red or brown water on the FIRST DRAW

Causes of this problem can be the internal plumbing if the water appears discolored for a few minutes. When the zinc coating in the pipes wears thin, water becomes discolored as it comes in contact with bear iron. The longer the water sits in the pipe the greater the discoloration, which is why it’s noticed in the morning or when returning from work or school. After running the tap for a few minutes the clean water will replace the discolored water. Since iron is an essential nutrient, this condition poses no health hazard although prevention of any concerns will need to be done. Recommendations: Flash the tap until the water becomes clear saving the water for plants.

3.      Yellow, red or brown water CONSTANTLY

Sometimes the problem becomes serious and requires greater attention. Sediments in water mains sometimes get stirred up when fire hydrants are used and when the flow of water in mains is changed. These sediments might cause your water to turn brown, yellow or red. Recommendations: Flush the tap until the water becomes clear, saving the water for plants. Please check the water to make sure that it is clear prior to doing laundry, using your dishwasher or making ice cubes.

In conclusion there is need to always check the system in the house to be able to maintain the pipe work before it begins to cause problems that will result in health concerns. For any assistance with any related problems contact anyone on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com. Urban Solutions helping you “Live and Work Better”

Reduce, reuse and Recycle………..

The production of waste is basically inevitable process everywhere and the household is not spared and hence the need to be able to reduce the waste that we produce. Apart from being a nuisance an appropriate method of disposal is required so as to prevent further contamination of the environment. At household level a number of measures can be done to reduce waste that is generated. In trying to promote sustainability the principle of the 3Rs (reduce recycle and reuse) has been introduced. This does not necessarily relate to the industrial or commercial sectors that use raw materials and any material in large quantities. These three aspects implemented at household level will significantly reduce the waste produced in residential areas.

Today’s article will not focus on the tips of how to go green but the impacts that not going green will have on the property and its value when the need to sell or get a tenant arises. In one of the earlier articles I discussed how the image of a property is of significant value and how it can be able to change the perception an individual will have about a property that they are viewing.

·         Mushrooming of illegal dump sites. This is a serious problem in most cities of developing countries and most people put the blame on the councils as not being able to achieve their role. The big question is what you as an individual have done to reduce the waste that comes from your property. The impact of these illegal or unplanned dump sites is that they are a breeding ground for diseases and other parasitic organisms. So whether the council has failed their role but the one to feel the great pinch of the problem will be the property owner who is in the vicinity of the dump site.

·         My work with children has shown me that where ever there is a place where you can pick something fascinating is where you will find children playing. Why do I say this? These illegal dump sites are potential playgrounds for children who are not aware of the dangers associated with the new found place of entertainment, hence still the problem comes back to the people in the vicinity of the dump site.

·         Have you ever gone to view a property and the first site that meets your eyes as you either step down or the first thing that you realize is that there is a noxious smell that you can’t even avoid closing your nose. That is just how bad the situation will be if you do not practice, promote and advocate for the 3Rs in your community. It’s not a problem until the dump site is at your gate, which is when you realize that you cannot stay at your own house.

In conclusion there is a lot that need to be done, but to just make people aware of the problem they find themselves in if they do not practice sustainable management of the waste that they produce we alone are the ones who will suffer the most. Someone once said the world has been in existence for over billion year yet the industrial revolution has under 500 years, so the world is not in trouble but it is the human race that is in trouble because the earth over the years has implemented measure to counter its destruction. Food for thought were are you in the fight against waste production. For more information you can contact any one of our members on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com. Urban Solutions helping you “Live and Work Better”

Earth hour are you involved???????

 We can, we will , will you?

Global initiatives have come and gone but today I want to speak about an initiative that really touches more on the Real Estate side but nothing has been done about it. Earth hour can be described as when homes, cities and countries and the Globe come together in solidarity to show their support and concern for the sustainable use of resources and protection of the environment. Initiated in Australia in the city of Sydney it has grown to more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

During my science days in high school I realized that a single lump of chalk took a longer time to react as compared to the same lump in powdered form. This is basically because of the issue pertaining to the cumulative action that each single grain will have in the reaction. The motivation with this is basically to promote individuals to be aware of the impact that different human activities have on the environment and how as an individual the role that you will play will have a significant impact in changing the environment.

The Real Estate sector needs to be involved in this and I applauded CBRE who have taken the initiative to their clients. According to Dave Pogue “This personal choice is not unlike the commitment CBRE makes in helping our real estate clients’ become more sustainable, not only in the performance of their owned or occupied space but in the daily habits of their organization. We will assist them in improving their buildings’ operating performance if they are willing to accept the challenge required to initiate positive change. In fact, most CBRE clients embrace the idea of becoming more green, and see the value in sustainability as we help their employees become more engaged in the process.” This is the understanding that in the Real estate sector we need to understand that everything that we will be doing will revolve around saving the environment if the properties that we manage become green and the systems that both the owners and the tenants implement in the property.

 

Some people I have talked to have failed to understand the basis behind this and only see that the impact that they will do as an individual does not have a significant impact. That is unfortunately not true as mentioned before the cumulative impact is what is of relevance. Also included is the awareness that each individual that would have taken part will be able to gain a sense of awareness of having a role in the protection of the environment. As an individual its up to you to decide whether to be involved or to sit and wait while others make a better environment for you. Take charge and our tomorrow will be as we expect.

in conclusion i would urge all members that are reading this blog that a journey of a thousand steps starts with one. if u don't take that step the journey will never be competed. For more information on the other related initiatives visit

http://www.earthhour.org/page/get-involved/join-community

 

Cut your bill and save your electricity…..

Cut your bill and save your electricity…..

People may question the link between what i am writing about and IWRM. Well the world we are living in has become a single community and the part you play in one sector will have a significant impact on all other sectors. There was a serious outcry from the general public when Tanzania power utility (TANESCO) increased the electricity charge by an astounding 40%. This caused some changes which have resulted in some store owners not able to allow water to get cold in the fridges as this will result in the prepaid billing system (LUKU) being drained faster. Anyway the reason for today’s article is to inform the general public on the small measures that can be done to allow for you to save on the electricity bill.

The everyday little things that we forget to do that use electricity will result in an unnecessarily high bill. Have you ever wondered why some people switch the lights during the course of the day? Dar is endowed with beautiful houses that have a lot of security lights which are sometimes not switched off during the day. This on its own is a concern as this drains the much needed electricity for no apparent purpose.

1.      DVDs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances all use energy while not in use. You may have noticed how a cell phone recharger can be warm even when not attached to a phone. The best way to prevent unnecessary energy expenditures is to do a clean sweep of your home. Here at the office, we’ve gotten into the routine of unplugging our water cooler at night. The process is a bit of a hassle at first, but hassle quickly turns into painless habit. In terms of estimates only 5% of the power drawn by a cell phone charger is used to charge the phone. The other 95% is wasted when it is left plugged into the wall.

2.      Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent, which are four times more efficient and last about eight times as long. You can also control the intensity of your incandescent bulbs with dimmer switches to save money. A bulb dimmed by 25 per cent uses 10 per cent less energy. 

3.      Take clothes out of the dryer and fold them while they are still warm to prevent wrinkling; this will also relate to the drying line as the longer they stay on the line the more wrinkled they get and the longer it takes to iron them, which is a concern as your iron uses a lot of energy.

4.      It has always been considered that prevention is better than cure. It is advisable to consider a home energy audit to find out how energy efficient your home is and the best way to spend your home-improvement shilling. In a system where you pay for what you use it is advisable to control that and hence only buy the electricity that you need and the saving then put to other requirements in the house.  

In conclusion the best thing one can do to save on their pocket as well as not to feel the crunch of the 40% increase by TANESCO is to apply the simple measures explained above. For any information and inquiries contact me on kudzai@urbansolutions.olaari.com. Urban Solutions helping you “Live and Work Better”