Sahara Roots - Groasis Waterboxx

	GROASIS WATERBOXX	HOME
		Groasis Waterboxx Thanks to an article in the Dutch "Financial Times" of 1 June 2010 on the "Groasis Waterboxx", we became very interested to try Peter Hoff's invention in our tree-planting area on the edge of the Sahara, in South Morocco. Using this "incubator" for young trees could maybe help the Sahara-Roots Foundation in increasing the survival rate of our newly planted trees in M'hamid. A friend had told us about this new invention earlier but it wasn't until the all media focus on the Groasis Waterboxx caught our attention that we realized that we would also like to experiment with this amazing new product. "The invention of 2010 Waterboxx and not the iPhone," according to the popular "American Scientific Magazine" has been declared "Innovation of the Year 2010"!
		How the Groasis Waterboxx works. The Groasis Waterboxx is a circular tank of 50 cm diameter and 25 cm high. In the middle it has an eight-shaped opening in which two seedlings / saplings can grow. The lid of the container consists of ridges, with microscopic dots. These form a smooth layer so that condensation droplets directly go into the grooves between the ridges and stream into the reservoir. Along a wick, the water drains into the soil, at a rate of about 50ml per day. Depending on the type of soil this is enough to create space between the soil particles to fill with water to a depth of half to two meters. Excess water, for example after a downpour, is removed so the plant does not drown. Measurements show that the soil under the tank is cooler during the day and warmer during the night, in comparison to the outside air. The temperature in the planting hole is more consistent than in the outside air. The container also protects the young plants from the wind and sun. This is why, according to the popular "American Scientific Magazine" this is the best way "to hug a tree." Science NRC Handelsblad Saturday, December 18.
		Our first Groasis Waterboxx were lost. October 2010 The first step was for us to try to Groasis Waterboxx in M'hamid. So with 10 Waterboxx in our luggage, Cora van Vliet, of College of Essence, and I left for Morocco. Because our flight from Casablanca to Ouarzazate was overbooked, we were flown to Marrakech, after which we continued a 4 hours journey, in the dark, by bus over the High Atlas to the city of Ouarzazate. If we so naïve in thinking that our precious luggage would be joining us during this horrendous long bus trip but nothing was further from the truth. Arriving at the airport of Ouarzazate at 05.00 am, it appeared that the Waterboxx's along with the rest of our luggage were lost! Where would they be? Still in Amsterdam, in Casablanca or Marrakech? As there is only one flight a day once arriving in Ouarzazate we would not be able to wait for the next flight, we had to travel further south to M'hamid. After a short night rest we consultation with our driver Sharif, visited to the airport to inquire where our luggage was, where after we left for M'hamid, confident that our luggage would come.
		Preparations for the new tree planting sites were in full swing. Two days after having dropped us off in M'hamid, Sharif came back to our bivouac "Le Petit Prince". "Sorry," he said, "the Waterboxx's are back to Amsterdam." My heart stood still for a moment but soon I saw the big grin on his face. Just a joke! The Waterboxx's were in his car! Very happy that our luggage had finally arrived, I showed them proudly to Halim Ibrahim and Sbai, the brothers with whom we work together with in all our M'hamid projects. Well, what would they be able to do with these "UFOs" in the Sahara? They looked surprised but also very interested. After our explanation of how the Waterboxx works, Halim and Ibrahim decided to place them in the vicinity of the camp. In this way they would able to keep a good eye on the Waterboxx's as well as help carefully familiarize and explain to the residents of this area, the advantages of the use of these water containers. It takes time to acclimatize to anything modern and alien in this environment. Moreover, they could be taken home to be used as washtubs!
		The next day we started placing the first ten Waterboxx's. It was also decided to plant tamarisk trees in the traditional way, so as to be able to compare the planting of both new and old ways, an experiment. Thus, large holes were dug in the hard soil to loosen it so that the newly formed roots would have a better chance to find water in this extremely dry environment. During the placement we all were excited and after placing the last waterboxx we had a very satisfied feeling. Now lets wait for the results! Many thanks to Pieter Hoff for providing us with the Groasis Waterboxx's. It would be nice if these boxes, should the experiment succeed, could be delivered to Morocco, so that we no longer would have to carry them in our luggage on the flights. More information about the Groasis WaterBoxx can be found at www.groasis.com Cora, many thanks for coming along with me to help give this new project a good start.
		Would you like to help us by donating a WaterBoxx? For 25 euros we can place two trees in one WaterBoxx in M'hamid. Please send us your wishes by filling the form on the CONTACT page.