I live on a small property that is reliant on tank water, on it
raining. And it hasn't been raining much lately. This morning I ordered a load
of water to be delivered and this will be the 3rd load in about 5 months. After
this weekend it will just be myself & my husband and our 2 dogs at home
as the eldest of our 3 children (and the last one still at home) moves out and
takes his cute but mischievous pup with him.
As well as impacting on our water usage, I'm definitely hoping to
see our electricity bill reduce, despite the fact we have an in-ground swimming
pool in the backyard which I'm currently attempting to restore to summer
swimming conditions (without 'vacuuming to waste' and buying a load of water
just to fill it up - yes, I have done this before, more than once). Ongoing
note to self: our next property will not have a swimming pool.
Anyway, back to water.
Australia is in
the midst of a drought. We're a dry country to start with but it's been about 3
years since we saw good rains and New South Wales is most adversely affected.
The Bureau of Meteorology's monthly drought statement doesn't
give much good news.
The southern rainfall season spans April to November and corresponds to the southern agricultural cropping season. For 2018, the southern rainfall season has so far seen 5 consecutive months of below average rainfall across much of Australia. Serious or severe rainfall deficiencies persist in a large area along and inland of Western Australia's southern coast, extending into the southern Goldfields District; Central Australia; large parts of Queensland; and most of New South Wales, and adjacent eastern South Australia.
As a result of the rainfall during August, deficits have reduced in severity in the Maranoa and Warrego districts of Queensland and over the border into the North West Slopes and Plains district of New South Wales. However, the accumulated rainfall deficits over the past several months in these areas are very large, and will require a great deal more rain over an extended period of time to remove them completely.
This map shows the rainfall deficiencies from April 2017 to August 2018, giving additional context to the statement above.
As a result of this distinct lack of water, more and more farmers are doing it tougher and tougher. Australians have been quick to come to their aid though and the Buy a Bale of Hay program, which first gained ground in 2013, has again stepped up to help. Buy a Bale doesn't just fundraise for farmers to feed their livestock, it also looks after their health and well-being, enabling short holidays to give a much-needed break from the relenting stress of trying to keep crops and livestock alive in a very unforgiving land. Buy a Bale provides practical assistance and most importantly, the type of assistance the farmers themselves want and are asking for - such as water, groceries, diesel, as well as hay.
Whether you donate directly, or pass the tin around at work, every dollar helps, every dollar makes a difference.
