With South Africa in the grip of one of the worst droughts in over 20 years, we all need to do our bit to conserve as much water as possible. The heatwave does not look like it will end any time soon, and with water restrictions now in place, here are six ways to save water at home:
1. Don’t bath and take short showers
If you have to bath your children, run a very shallow bath for them and then think of using the water afterwards for yourself. If you take a shower, make it less than five minutes and turn off the shower while you soap yourself. You can also place buckets around you to catch water that would otherwise get wasted down the drain and then use this water elsewhere in your home. Another water saving tip is to install a water saving shower nozzle.
2. Don’t water outside during daylight hours
If you must water the garden, do so sparingly and not during the hottest hours of the day when most of the water will evaporate. The best way to do this is to put in an irrigation system and install a timer. Also think about switching your water guzzling plants for indigenous ones and drought resistant plants like cactuses. Mulch your plants with bark chippings or compost to keep them moist and reduce evaporation. And instead of spraying down your patio or driveway, use a broom to clean up debris.
3. Report every single water leak you see
Whether this is on the pavement, a water hydrant or a blocked sewer, let your municipality know about the leak so that they can rectify the problem. The same applies to your own home: fix dripping taps and leaking toilets immediately. If you can’t do this yourself, call a plumber to help you.
4. Only do washing when you need to
Try to only use washing machines or dishwashers that use very little water (top loading washing machines use about double the amount of water used by front loaders). Also ensure that your washing machine or dishwasher is full rather than wasting water on half loads – this is a very simple but effective water saving tip.
5. Plug it up
Don’t leave the tap running freely while you wash those dinner dishes - put the plug in to save water. Also use dishwashing liquid sparingly as the more soap you use, the more clean water is required for rinsing.
6. Bottle it
With this extreme heat we all want a bottle of cool water to quench our thirst but the worst thing you can do is turn on the tap and wait for the water to turn cold. Rather buy a couple of glass bottles, fill them up at night and then place them in the fridge, ready for use the next day.
Water is a scarce commodity and essential for our health, so we all need to find ways to save water if we can. Another way to take care of your health is by ensuring that you have the best medical aid plan for your needs and circumstances. Get a quote from Fedhealth or contact us to find out more.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
