Author: Govan Crotz
22 March 2023 - Today is World Water Day and in this article we share, some useful tips to help you become water-wise and share ways to save water in your daily life
1. Looking for and fixing unnecessary leaks in the house Water leaks in the home are one of the biggest contributors to water wastage. Here are a few ways you can check for leaks around the house:
The best way to check for leaks in the toilet is to add a few drops of food colouring to the water in the toilet tank or cistern and to see if after a few hours of not flushing the toilet if there are coloured water marks around the toilet or in the toilet bowl. If there are marks it would indicate leaks from the toilet.
To check for leaking taps, you would be required to put a bowl under the taps overnight to see if there is any water that would end up accumulating in the bowl. The leak would either need to be fixed or a bowl placed under the tap constantly to prevent water wastage.
2. How to save water when showering. Baths on average can take up to 80 litres of hot water whereas an 8-minute shower on average uses about 60 litres of hot water therefore showering is a more water-wise choice. However, that still seems like that is still a large amount of water wasted. If using a bucket, you can save a large amount of that water which can be used to collect the runoff water. You can also install low-flow shower heads which can reduce water consumption by 75% and still provide a good showering experience.
Another way to save water is to decrease the amount of time spent in the shower. Reducing your shower time to 4 minutes can save up to 30 litres of water.
3. Small ways to save water in the bathroom There are a few small water-wise to save water in your bathroom during your daily routine which would add up to large amounts of wasted water being saved. \
Close the tap while brushing your teeth and only turn the water to rinse your mouth.
By using a cup with water while shaving instead of letting the water continuously run while shaving.
You can also save a great deal of water by washing your hair less often and letting your hair adapt to being washed less often.
4. Saving Water from Washing Dishes and Laundry There are some great ways you can save water when washing up. People often waste water when washing dishes as they leave the tap running to heat the water. This “warm-up water” can be saved and used to rinse the dishes. The greywater from the washing of dishes and the washing machine can be collected in large containers such as plastic bins and be used to flush toilets, wash dogs or water the garden.
If you are going to use greywater to water the garden or wash pets you need to be certain you are not using harsh chemicals during dishwashing or washing clothes as these can cause damage to the plants or the animals. Therefore, the use of biodegradable detergents and cleaning products won't cause harm. You should however not water fruits and vegetables which will be consumed with greywater as the water will harm the food.
5. Watering Your Garden
If you are using potable water then it would be best to use the water in the most efficient and water-wise. This would require you to water your garden before 10:00 or after 16:00. By watering earlier in the day allows more time for the water to reach the plant's roots before it gets warmer in midday resulting in the evaporation of the water accelerating. If you use greywater for watering your garden then the time you water is not as critical.
6. Collecting rainwater By collecting rainwater in JoJo water containers or 5-litre water bottles, you will be able to save a good deal of water as this collected rainwater can be used for watering your garden or flushing the toilet which will help you save water and become more water-wise.
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