by Charl van der Merwe, Environmental Ethicist. On behalf of Sedgefield Ratepayers Association (Edge Issue 726)

A drought is a period of below-normal rainfall or drier conditions, leading to reduced soil moisture, groundwater depletion, diminished stream flow, crop damage, and water shortages. It is the second-costliest weather event after hurricanes.

Unlike sudden weather phenomena, droughts are difficult to identify at their onset or conclusion, often taking weeks or months to confirm. They can last from weeks to decades, with prolonged droughts causing significant harm to people, agriculture, ecosystems, and local economies. 

Drought impacts are categorised into environmental, economic, and social effects. Environmental consequences include wetlands drying up, increased wildfires, and biodiversity loss. Economically, drought disrupts agriculture, livestock, forestry, water supplies, recreation, and can negatively affect human health.

Social and health impacts involve heat-related health issues, rising food costs, stress from failed harvests, water scarcity, and increased air pollution from dust and wildfires. Extended droughts may also trigger mass migrations and humanitarian crises. 

Categories of drought

Four major categories of drought, based on where in the water cycle the moisture deficit occurs, can be identified:

1) Meteorological droughts which occur due to lack of precipitation usually precede other kinds of drought and their impact on society and the ecosystem gradually increases.

2) Hydrological droughts relate to low runoff, low stream flow and reservoir and groundwater storage. Hydrological droughts tend to present themselves more slowly, because they involve stored water, that is used, but not replenished. Due to the close interaction with water use, this type of drought can be heavily influenced by water management. Severe negative human influences are alien invader species choking our rivers and erosion from overgrazing. Like agricultural droughts, hydrological droughts can be triggered by more than just a loss of rainfall. 

3) Ecological or agricultural droughts are causing plant stress from a combination of evaporation and low soil moisture. Agricultural or ecological droughts affect crop production or ecosystems and ecosystem services in general. This condition can be caused by any change in precipitation levels, soil conditions, or erosion triggered by poorly planned agricultural practices. It is a deficit in water available to the ecosystem or crops.

4) Socio-economic drought occurs when the demand for an economic good (water) exceeds supply because of a weather-related shortfall in supply. The socio-economic drought is water scarcity. 

Data from rainfall measurements in the Karatara catchment show that rainfall during five of the first nine months of 2025 was below average. Furthermore, it shows that for 2025 we are, as at the end September, ~240 mm below the average. This implies that for October, November and December 2025 we would need at least 80 mm of rain each month to reach the longer-term average. 

Some key deductions and recommendations:

• During August and September of this year we had very little rain.
• The earth is hard/dry, and the forest understorey (litter zone) is very dry due to the lack of precipitation. This increases the risk of wildfires.
• There is a noticeably low flow in the Karatara and Hoogekraal Rivers, as well as the Wolwe Spruit, with the non-perennial side streams having virtually no flow. 

To ensure a sustainable water future, it is essential to monitor and reduce daily water consumption through effective conservation practices, both at home and in industry.

At Home:

• Fix leaks and take shorter showers to save water.
• Run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
• Use a 2-litre bottle in the toilet cistern to reduce water per flush.
• Avoid rinsing dishes under running water.
• Recycle grey water from laundry, baths, and sinks for garden use. 

Garden:

• Plant indigenous, drought-tolerant species.
• Group plants with similar water needs.
• Apply mulch to reduce evaporation and weed growth.
• Water in the evening to minimise evaporation and ensure deep soil moisture. 

Industrial and Commercial Sector:

• Determine water needs for operations.
• Designate personnel to monitor and identify water waste.
• Locate and understand the function of the main water shut-off valve.
• Upgrade equipment to utilise recycled or less water. 

Talking Conservation is a conservation-focused column in Sedgefield’s Edge newspaper, sponsored by Drie Valleyen Reserve.