Avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain

We aim to avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain falling on our roof and then storing it underground in a reservoir where it remains very cold; bacteria are less likely to proliferate.

Consuming as little synthetic chemicals overall as possible from our food too is important; humans are eating a vast amount of plastic microparticles that are today found in abundance in the filtering organs of our bodies and in the blood supply. Then it is deposited in the intima of our arteries.

These microplastic particles have become ubiquitous; they are to be found throughout the food chain, in the water we drink and in the air we breathe. They are everywhere and extremely difficult to avoid.

Whilst there may be very small amounts of plastic microparticles in the rain, as compared to commercial piped and bottled water, it is minuscule.

The only way to completely remove all plastic microparticles from our drinking water is to use reverse osmosis; and that has drawbacks too. The beneficial minerals are also removed.

We normally get about 10% of our minerals from the water we drink.

Surprisingly there are some minerals in rainwater; but not a lot.

Most of this plastic is completely non-biodegradable; so it continues to build up in our landfills from where it leaches out into dams and rivers. Currently every year another 400 million tons are being added to our waste.

Worldwide we buy water in 1,5 trillion plastic bottles every day; some of them are recycled of course.

Nanoplastics

Microplastics are particles less than 5mm in diameter; exposed to sunshine, wind and sea they decompose to bits smaller than cannot be seen by the human eye.

Less than one micron in size they are called nanoplastics; they are found today in every conceivable nook of the planet, in the water we drink and the food we eat.

Over 90% of bottled water contains these nano-plastic particles. Microbeads are also used extensively in cosmetics adding to the pollution of our rivers and oceans, finding their way eventually to our taps.

We can avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain; and even then we may get some.

Seasalt

By far the greater amount of salt that we humans consume comes from the sea; and so of course its loaded with nanoparticles of plastic.

Saltwater fish

Although they have been banned, PCBs are known as "persistent organic pollutants." They were used widely in flame retardants and coolants and will remain for ever in the environment.

In particular they dissolve readily in animal fats; we are exposed to them unknowingly in our food.

Plastic waste is accumulating in the oceans at the most alarming rate; by 2050, just 30-odd years away there will by weight be more in the sea than fish.

Already plastic microparticles have been found widely in seafood and it's rapidly getting worse.

We find ourselves trapped between the proverbial devil and the deeply polluted blue sea; we are encouraged to eat more food from the oceans, particularly for the omega-3 content but told to avoid it because of plastic and PCB contamination. Luckily current research shows that from plants is far more effective than first thought.

• Purslane plant
  

Tea bags

Tea lovers the world over would be devastated if they read the research from McGill university that every sachet releases literally billions of nano-sized particles of plastic into every cuppa^[3].

Fortunately loose tea tastes far better but in a world ever looking for shortcuts those little sachets appeared one good way to make our lives easier. Whether it's the plastic in water or the little bag itself it seems we are doomed to yet more toxic chemicals from our food and drink; unless we take drastic action.

These plastic particles have been shown to be present in the blood of even almost all "healthy" individuals. It comes as no surprise that the rates of allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases are rising dramatically.

The toxicity of plastic microparticles at the cellular level in our bodies is now beyond dispute.

So just how much plastic are you eating^[5]?

Cardiovascular disease

Scientists have found that patients with carotid artery plaque in which microplastic particles were found had a 4.5 times higher risk for death or major CV disease^[6].

What can you do?

One is left feeling helpless in the face of this massive assault on our wellness by own humanity. Probably the single most important thing that one can do is to make every effort to avoid single use plastics.

Plastic obviously has many wonderful uses; we just need to repurpose those empty bags and bottles as many times as possible.

And of course protect ourselves by avoiding plastic in water by harvesting the rain; and storing it not in tanks made from polyethylene but in permanent, lasting structures such as brick reservoirs.

Avoiding plastic water at all costs should be high on the agenda of every single person; help prevent it being formed in the first place and secondly make sure we are not drinking it.

Avoiding eating plastic is obviously even more difficult; it's everywhere and in all our food too. We are poisoning ourselves; falling on our own swords, so to speak.

Ecocides

Many highly toxic chemicals used by agriculture find their way into our water ways and eventually to the taps in our homes. Research following 70,000 people found that those who ate organic food had a 25% lower risk of getting cancer^[4]; a hazard ratio of 0.75.

Many toxic hormone-disrupting chemicals such as dioxins, phthalates and BPA are also carried in water. It's time to return to those utensils that have stood the test of time.

• Glass water jugs
• Glass storage containers
• Caste iron cooking
• Avoid canned foods
  

A polycrisis

2023 is the year of the Polycrisis. Load-shedding, hunger and dry taps are just one small part of what is staring at us in the face; climate change, infectious diseases and violence too. We have chosen to avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain and storing it in this underground reservoir.

It's our small part of what we are calling a Cyan Zone philosophy. Saving both ourselves, as we model our lifestyles on those five countries where life is so long, fulfilling and good; and the planet, a green issue obviously.

Harvesting the rain and sunshine falling our roof has done so much to mitigate against the truly awful future facing the planet. We certainly do not have to reduce our indulgence of either.

Avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain

Avoid plastic in water by harvesting the rain and then store it underground where it will be kept very cold.

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Address:

56 Groenekloof Rd,

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Create a Cyan Zone at your home; one which complements blue areas for longevity with green for protecting Mother Earth.