8 Quick Tips To Save Water

8 Quick Tips to Save Water

In the past few years, South Africans had to learn how to do without their regular amount of water due to severe drought conditions. 

The drought issue is coming and going, yet isn't showing signs of any relief and citizens have been informed to be water-wise with this very precious resource. 

For example, the City of Cape Town have already implemented "Level 6B water restrictions", which means that each individual is only allowed 50 liters of water per day. We should all be making an effort to save as much water as we can to look out for future generations. 

Here are a few ways in which you can save water: 

No.1 - Limit your shower time

All of us enjoy a bit of sound check in the bathroom but try to limit your shower (and your concert) time to 5 minutes or less. 

It can save about 21,000 liters of water per year and that is more important than your solo track. 

No.2 - Turn off the water when brushing your teeth

When you are busy brushing your teeth at the sink, close the tap and don't let the water run. 

If you are shaving your legs in the shower, turn off the water when you are busy with the razor. 

No.3 - Fix any leaks

This might be an obvious one, but leaks are the number one cause of water waste.

A leaky tap can waste up to 40,000(!) liters of water per year. 

Get someone in to fix any leaks that you have and make sure you do your bit to save water. 

No.4 - Water your garden when the sun is down

When you water the garden early in the morning or in the evening, grass and plants can absorb more water because the sun isn't there to evaporate it. 

This saves about 100 liters per year. 

No.5 - Water your plants with recycled water

If you have water left in the pot after cooking pasta or if you have water in your glass from melted ice, use that to water the plants. 

You can use any water in your garden as long as it doesn't have chemicals in it. This is referred to as grey water. 

No.6 - Use grey water to flush toilets

Another use for grey water is to flush toilets. 

You can use water from your bath to flush the toilets or you can catch water in a bucket when you shower and use that to flush the toilets. 

No.7 - Use a brick in the toilet

This might seem a bit old fashioned, but using a brick in the toilet can save a lot of water. 

The idea is to displace water inside the tank so that it fills up with less water. Every time you use it, it refills and flushes with less water. You can also use a plastic bottle or a cup. Get creative!

No.8 - Only wash full loads of clothes and dishes

This one is pretty simple and easy to follow: don't do laundry if the washing machine isn't full. 

This goes for your washing machine and your dishwasher. The more you wash, the more water you use, and if you are going to wash every few hours, imagine how much water you would be wasting. 

Conclusion

These 8 water saving tips are only some of the many ways in which you can save water. We do hope, however, that these tips will help you save water at home, at work, in public or wherever you might be. 

Remember, it is up to each and every one of us to help save water, save the planet, and save ourselves from the impending water shortage, so don't waste any more time (and water) and start by implementing the above tips today!