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<\/p>\nIn this light, water-wise tactics must become second nature for all South Africans, including in the Lowveld.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Water-wise in the home<\/strong>
\n\u2022 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.
\n\u2022 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.
\n\u2022 When rinsing fruit and vegetables,
\nrinse into a bowl and collect the water. Use it to water houseplants.
\n\u2022 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.
\n\u2022 Save bathing for a special treat. A bath uses about 80 litres of water; rather opt for quick showers.
\n\u2022 Wash clothes in cold water. Many washing powders are just as proficient with cold water as they are with hot,
\nand this saves both water and energy.
\n\u2022 Instead of running water over dirty
\npots and pans, soak them.
\n\u2022 Put the plug into the basin when brushing teeth or shaving instead of allowing the tap to run.
\n\u2022 Designate a specific glass for water every day, or fill a water bottle. This reduces the washing up of numerous glasses every day.
\n\u2022 If possible, reroute grey water (used household water) onto the garden.
\n\u2022 Make sure that you use an energy-efficient cycle when doing washing. Smaller loads require less water and
\nmost washing machines have a
\n\u2018reduced water\u2019 setting.
\n\u2022 Fill the sink with water when washing the dishes instead of letting the water run over them.
\n\u2022 Wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher.
\n\u2022 Reuse leftover water from steaming or boiling vegetables as a base for a nutritious soup.
\n\u2022 Teach children the importance of
\nbeing water-wise, and to always close taps tightly after each use.
\n\u2022 Place a bucket or bowl under the tap to collect water while waiting for it to become hot.
\n\u2022 Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.
\n\u2022 Put food colouring into the toilet tank. If it leaks into the bowl without being flushed, it means you have a leak.
\nWater-wise in the garden
\n\u2022 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.
\n\u2022 Harvest rainwater in a water tank or barrel, and use this water for the garden.
\n\u2022 Adjust your watering schedule to match specific seasons and weather conditions.
\n\u2022 Allow grass to go dormant in winter. Brown grass needs watering once every four weeks, less if it rains.
\n\u2022 Water plants deeply and less often. This encourages deeper root growth and drought tolerance.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t use a hose to clean driveways or patios, sweep debris up using a broom instead.
\n\u2022 When not in use, use a pool cover to reduce evaporation.
\n\u2022 Spread a layer of organic mulch around the base of plants and in flower beds.
\n\u2022 Only water plants when necessary.
\n\u2022 Minimise evaporation by watering plants in the early morning or late afternoon hours.
\n\u2022 Group plants that have the same watering needs together.
\n\u2022 Adjust the setting on your lawn mower so that grass isn\u2019t cut too short. Short grass holds soil moisture longer and shades the roots.
\n\u2022 Start a compost pile or bin. Compost adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.
\n\u2022 Avoid planting grass or plants in hard-to-water areas, such as steep inclines.
\n\u2022 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.
\n\u2022 Consider reducing your lawn size. Lawns are huge water-guzzlers.
\n\u2022 Remember to mulch. It keeps root systems cool, retains soil moisture and prevents weed growth.
\n\u2022 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.<\/p>\n