Marius De KocktoWATER SHEDDING WESTERN CAPE.
How to use less water:
The greatest consumption of water and where you can make the quickest and biggest difference to your water consumption are your bathroom activities:
Shower less often. There are no negative health consequences to not showering every day. It doesn't matter that you don't smell like a rose every day. If your man has gone all "cave man" embrace it.
A drought shower is a shower for which you don't continuously run the water. After getting into the shower and getting wet, switch the water off and apply soap and shampoo. Now switch the water on again, rinse off and get out. Not as nearly pleasant as a long hot steamy affair, but there are more extreme showering options, such as using a 5 litre spray can. Timing your shower is a good place to start.
Bathing in a full bath is another special pleasure many are now missing. If you only have a bath at home and no shower, bathing is far less glamourous affair with a bucket and a plastic cup. It is about getting clean, not having fun.
The water you used to clean yourself is useful. Grey water (not fit for drinking) can be used for many things, the most obvious of which is flushing your toilet. Toilet cistern designs to vary, but simply replenishing the cistern when you've flushed saves 9 litres of water. Grey water does tend to smell if stored, particularly if not filtered. A few drops of ProBac or Jik (added by admin of this page: and white vinegar) does make a difference.
If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down. For smell suppression and toilet staining use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Washing the dishes requires water, so try use as little as possible. Dishwashers should only be run when they're totally full. Wipe the plates before loading the dishwasher or washing by hand.
Wearing clean clothes every day results in a lot of washing which requires a lot of water. The waste from the washing of dishes and clothes are the other sources of grey water.
Plant indigenous plants in your garden. We live in a unique floral environment for which the plants are perfectly adapted to. Planting local plants makes sense both waterwise and environmental sense.
A child's hands can work a tap just as well as an adult's. Keep an eye on your children. Better yet, educate them. If you're honest with them they will appreciate it. Situation critical and a little dangerous for us all. Don't scare them, just be honest.
If you are responsible for a water meter check the reading regularly and monitor your consumption. Check your plumbing. If you have a leaky tap, fix it. Close all the taps on the property and monitor the water meter over 15 minutes to ensure there isn't a leak on the property.
Do your best to save water and keep saving. Educate others. Have a clear conscience that you're not the cause of the problem. Get used to the lifestyle required to save water and soon saving water will not feel like having to make sacrifices.
Saving yourself - Preparing for Day Zero (more to follow...)
This is the first draft of advice for people new to saving water. The "more to follow" story isn't ready yet. Your suggestions are welcome. Have I missed something important?
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