Island Ponderings

It’s when you leave home that you really ponder on the differences between living on a remote island and that of a much bigger country.

At home, we rely heavily on what is available and using it the best way we can, with very little waste, at least that’s how I was brought up to think. We are grateful for the rain that fills our tanks, waters our crops and livestock. We use it sparingly.

Buckets in the showers catching those first arctic drops as we await the perfect heat, while also minimalizing the length of our showers. Recycling our grey water from kitchen as well as the laundry. Reducing the flow of water when we use a tap, to avoid wastage. Being careful not to flush every time we use the toilet, if it isn’t necessary. Making a conscious decision to not wash our cars when rain is scarce or cleaning it with a minimal amount of water usage. Watering our garden with the shower buckets and grey water when we can.

These are the ways most of us instinctively live. It’s a bit like living within a budget. We know that our water containment is finite, so we do our best not to go ‘over budget’. For my part, I know the water I have stored in my tank is the ‘budget’ I must aspire to.

However, when you travel and you see the many houses dotted everywhere, you see things a little differently. Most city dwellers don’t use rainwater, they are on ‘town supply’. You undeerstand how easy it is to take water for granted when you only have to turn on a tap that has no limits, when a shower can easily be 20 minutes long, continual flushing is okay and washing dishes under running water is the norm.

The water shortage hasn’t just affected our island, water levels are low everywhere, but education on how to save it and maintain it is scarce.

I am grateful that I was brought up to know that you can’t take everything for granted. I am grateful I am aware that I must live within my means, not just financially, but in all aspects of life. It is so important that we look after what we have, because after all, everything is finite, even us.