Water, water everywhere...

...and the problem is, mostly where it is is not where it is needed.

Or when.

The current glorious weather we are enjoying is to be enjoyed, but it does carry a caution.

Clear blue skies... means no rain.

No rain for too long means parched gardens.

And... hosepipe bans.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9138165/Hosepipe-ban-announced-for-8-million-as-drought-bites.html

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geoffreylean/100144383/drought-in-britain-whats-the-worst-case-scenario/

Of course, the issues are not so clear-cut as often made out:

http://www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/view/307718/Basic-engineering-could-sort-out-our-water-shortages

And hence, speaking of basic engineering, I am proud to bring you the latest Junkk creation, albeit one for personal use.

What have the Romans ever done for us, eh? The Martin Mk #1 aquifer is now up and running. Well, not yet as there is not a drop falling from the sky. But when it does, I am having as much as I can to keep for when needed. And those years of keeping old guttering from the roof renovation.... vindicated!

Raising an interesting question. Is the term 'hosepipe ban' in any way a legal definition? Because I will be seeking to use this water if necessary to water the garden... with a hosepipe, from such bowsers (boning up on all the round and square gutter capture devices as we speak, to get every drop off the house roofing too). No issues with my neighbours, but what if some nanny state numptie decides to stick an oar in?

At least the spirit of Heath Robinson is alive and well still.

You can take the man out of engineering but, maybe, there's still some engineering left in the man

The disaster in Haiti is now days old.

Yet, as I watch SKY news, I am sensing truly woeful disaster contingency planning.

A ton of stuff heading that way, and chaos and gridlock when it gets there.

And, as with the Boxing Day tsunami, I dread to think what the vast monetary aid might get applied to once things 'settle'.

I just heard a spokesperson from a disaster charity saying their first aircraft, from the UK, had just arrived... 'with bottled water'.

As the most basic need, untainted water supplies are obviously a priority.

I was just surprised the logistical systems globally were not optimised to store and deliver this commodity without having to carry water further than necessary, time and weight-wise.

As a serious, but equally potentially daft (I accept - but no such thing...), suggestion for future aid efforts, might it be an idea in areas prone to disasters to build with aid well sited earthquake-proof reservoir (sprung leg low level - no need for 'head' - tanks with flexible connectors?) buffers to water supplies around regions, than can be tapped in the event of emergencies?

I'd have thought just 2/3 of these, even if located to the periphery of distribution centres such as airports, would equate, and a lot more cheaply and quickly (in future), to one plane load.

Addendum -

Indy - practical, and human issues to the mix - Water delivery disruptions imperil quake survivors

Make it and mend it

Can niche topic journalists think laterally?

I just ask, because...

Water or the web? - What does Africa need more - easy access to fresh water or better cheaper internet connections?

I have to ask, as the author doesn't half make a meal out of a pretty obvious answer.