Save water: it starts with you

Every year government loses billions of rands because of water leaks and although a programme has been launched to deal with this, it is up to all of us to save ever drop of water.

Saving water is important for the environment. It helps the country deal with water shortages and it can save you money. Vuk’uzenzele brings you some useful tips on how you can save water.

Ways to save water at home

• Turn the tap off between washing your face, brushing your teeth or shaving
• If you prefer to bath, don't fill up the bath tub.
• Taking a bath can use between 80 and 150 litres of water per bath.
• Kettles should not be filled to the brim but with just enough water for your needs. This will reduce your electricity bill too.
• Don't over-fill containers like cooking pots, as this may result in using more energy to heat the water.
• Fix a leaking toilet otherwise it can waste up to 100 000 litres of water in one year.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash rather than the toilet. Every time you flush the toilet, 12 litres of water is used.
• Use "grey water" - used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources - to flush your toilet.

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  Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned off in-between spraying the car.

• Farmers must ensure that they keep toxic insecticides away from water sources and streams.
• Do not to use the river or river bank as a toilet.
• If you see someone polluting water call the Blue Scorpions on 0800 200 200.
  

  

  Ways to save water in the garden

• Always water your plants during the early morning hours or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Between 10:00 and 15:00 one can lose up to 90 per cent of water to evaporation.
• Every time you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your houseplants. They'll benefit from the nutrients released from the shell.
• Water gardens less frequently, but water well. Using a garden hose could use as much as 30 litres of water per minute.
• Roof water can also be profitably stored in tanks, for watering gardens.

Source: Department of Water Affairs