During a global water-security study, residents of a high-rise district in Windhoek tested ways to reduce household consumption during a dry season. Fig. 1 ...
Question 1 Report
During a global water-security study, residents of a high-rise district in Windhoek tested ways to reduce household consumption during a dry season. Fig. 1 shows the system installed on one apartment block. Rainwater from the roof is directed into a covered tank. Water from hand basins and showers is filtered before being pumped to planters and used for toilet flushing. Drinking water continues to enter through the mains pipe. The city population has grown quickly, so reducing urban water use can delay the need for costly new supply schemes. The residents also record monthly meter readings to check whether the changes reduce use.
Fig. 1 Apartment-block water system in Windhoek.
(a) Identify the source of water collected in the tank. [1]
(b) Describe two uses of filtered water shown in Fig. 1. [2]
(c) Explain how this scheme could make the development more sustainable as the urban population increases. [4]
Answer Details
(a) The tank collects rainwater from the roof. [1]
(b) Filtered water is used for watering planters and flushing toilets. The figure also shows water from showers and basins being filtered before reuse. [2]
(c) The scheme reduces demand for treated mains water and lowers household water consumption. It captures rainfall, a renewable local source, and reuses grey water rather than discharging it immediately. This reduces pressure on reservoirs or groundwater during drought and may postpone expensive new supply infrastructure as the population grows. It can also support plants or food growing in the city. Any four explained sustainability points gain credit. [4]
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