Useful Water tips

These water saving tips are courtesy of The Knysna Municipality, which is currently experiencing the worst drought in 132 years.-

BATHROOM

Put a bucket in the shower to catch water: The water that you collect can be used to water your plants or garden Keep your showers short OR even better, try a navy shower: E.G. Get wet, turn water off, soap and scrub and then turn water on to rinse off It is better to shower than to bathe – it reduces water use by up to 66% Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth Fill your toilet cistern with the water you collected from the shower.To cut down on the amount of water you flush, place one or two bricks in the cistern. There are other products available to regulate flush flow e.g. the Hippo Bag and Save-A-Flush When trying to find the right water temperature, instead of turning the cold water on to cool it down (thus making the water flow go up), try turning the hot water down. Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or a garbage bin each time you flush objects down the toilet it wastes 6-11 litres of water

KITCHEN/LAUNDRY

Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are FULL before running it. Do not use running water to thaw meet or other food rather defrost it in the fridge overnight. Rinse your vegetables in a shallow basin of water instead of placing them under running water. Store drinking water in the fridge instead of running water to get it cold before filling up your glass.

GARDENING

Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe to water your plants. Reuse water from your kitchen and bathroom – instead of pouring water down the drain, use it to water your garden or potted plants. Use a broom instead of a hosepipe to clean the driveway and deck. Water gardens during early hours of the morning and evening when temperatures are lower as this reduces water loss from evaporation. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back when you move your foot, it doesn’t need to be watered. Plant indigenous! These plants do not need to be watered as often as non-native plants and they will usually survive long dry periods. Position your sprinkler so that the water flows directly onto the garden or grass instead of onto your fence or driveway. Avoid the installation of water features unless they use recycled water. Avoid putting fertilizer on your lawn as this increases the need for water.

SWIMMING POOL

Keep your swimming pool covered when not in use to minimize water evaporation during hot days.

METHODS TO CHECK YOUR HOME IS LEAK FREE

Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks. Read the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water has been used. If the water meter doesn’t read exactly the same, then there is a leak. To check for toilet tank leaks, add food coloring to the tank. If the toilet leaks, the toilet bowl will have changed color within 30 minutes. Repair dripping taps by replacing the washer. If a tap is dripping at a rate of 1 drop per second, you could be wasting up to 10,220 Liters per year! If your toilet handle constantly stays in a downward position this means that water is constantly running. Replace or fix the handle to avoid wasted water. Insulate your water pipes. If you do, you’ll get hot water faster, avoid wasting water while it is heating, and also saving money on electricity!