In this light, water-wise tactics must become second nature for all South Africans, including in the Lowveld.
Even though our summers are sweltering, we can still keep cool while being mindful of our impact on the Earth in several ways. Here are a few daily tips you can implement to help do your bit to conserve this precious, and finite, resource.
Water-wise in the home
• Replace old larger cistern toilets with modern, more water-efficient toilets. Also, consider installing a dual-flush toilet. Check regularly for leaks, as toilet leaks are often silent and go unnoticed.
• Attach a water-wise shower head; they can save up to 3 000 litres of water a month. Keep showers short; a five-minute shower is as effective as a 15-minute shower.
• When rinsing fruit and vegetables,
rinse into a bowl and collect the water. Use it to water houseplants.
• Dripping taps waste an inordinate amount of water, up to 100 litres. Check all taps and water outlets regularly for leaks, and fix or replace them if faulty.
• Save bathing for a special treat. A bath uses about 80 litres of water; rather opt for quick showers.
• Wash clothes in cold water. Many washing powders are just as proficient with cold water as they are with hot,
and this saves both water and energy.
• Instead of running water over dirty
pots and pans, soak them.
• Put the plug into the basin when brushing teeth or shaving instead of allowing the tap to run.
• Designate a specific glass for water every day, or fill a water bottle. This reduces the washing up of numerous glasses every day.
• If possible, reroute grey water (used household water) onto the garden.
• Make sure that you use an energy-efficient cycle when doing washing. Smaller loads require less water and
most washing machines have a
‘reduced water’ setting.
• Fill the sink with water when washing the dishes instead of letting the water run over them.
• Wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher.
• Reuse leftover water from steaming or boiling vegetables as a base for a nutritious soup.
• Teach children the importance of
being water-wise, and to always close taps tightly after each use.
• Place a bucket or bowl under the tap to collect water while waiting for it to become hot.
• Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.
• Put food colouring into the toilet tank. If it leaks into the bowl without being flushed, it means you have a leak.
Water-wise in the garden
• Use recirculating water pumps in your swimming pools, fountains, ponds and water features. Avoid water features that use sprays, as they are more prone to evaporation. Instead, opt for a trickling or cascading feature.
• Harvest rainwater in a water tank or barrel, and use this water for the garden.
• Adjust your watering schedule to match specific seasons and weather conditions.
• Allow grass to go dormant in winter. Brown grass needs watering once every four weeks, less if it rains.
• Water plants deeply and less often. This encourages deeper root growth and drought tolerance.
• Don’t use a hose to clean driveways or patios, sweep debris up using a broom instead.
• When not in use, use a pool cover to reduce evaporation.
• Spread a layer of organic mulch around the base of plants and in flower beds.
• Only water plants when necessary.
• Minimise evaporation by watering plants in the early morning or late afternoon hours.
• Group plants that have the same watering needs together.
• Adjust the setting on your lawn mower so that grass isn’t cut too short. Short grass holds soil moisture longer and shades the roots.
• Start a compost pile or bin. Compost adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.
• Avoid planting grass or plants in hard-to-water areas, such as steep inclines.
• If the children want to cool off on a hot day, set a sprinkler in an area where the lawn needs watering and let them run through it a few times.
• Consider reducing your lawn size. Lawns are huge water-guzzlers.
• Remember to mulch. It keeps root systems cool, retains soil moisture and prevents weed growth.
• We have the most beautiful indigenous plants in South Africa. Make your garden water-wise by planting climate-suitable plants for your area. In the Lowveld, these include the pod mahogany, wild jasmine, African iris, Natal plum and black-eyed Susan, and there are many aloe species that are right at home in the Lowveld, and beloved of birds, bees and butterflies.
Head to BUCO Nelspruit or contact us on 013 753 5300 to speak to our friendly staff about the best options for household and garden fixtures specific to your needs. Making a few important changes will not only help to conserve water in the home and garden, but will quite possibly save you money at the same time.
