The Western Cape is on the brink of a water crisis.
According to the City of Cape Town, lower annual rainfall led to a reduction in inflows to dams. Combined with the hot summer weather, this had led to increased pressure on the City’s water supply system. Dam levels are currently sitting at 69.1%.
It’s an eerily familiar situation, similar to the one that Capetonians faced during the 2015-2020 period. The threat of “Day Zero” – when the Mother City’s taps would run dry – was a constant fear.
Thankfully, preventative measures, as well as ample winter rainfall, kept “Day Zero” well at bay. However, as dam levels shrink, fears of water running out have grown.
HOW YOU CAN SAVE WATER AMID WATER CRISIS
For this water supply to be sustained until the next seasonal rainfall cycle, it’s imperative that residents take the necessary steps to practise water-saving habits.
Take note of the following six tips:
1. MONITOR YOUR WATER USAGE
For starters, it’s good to ascertain just how much water you’re consuming. That way, you can determine how you can use it efficiently.
Keep track of your daily average water use by reading your water meter. Alternatively, you can check your municipal invoice to see your daily average usage. If the figure is higher than expected, you either might be using too much water or there’s a leak.
2. REPAIR WATER LEAKS
“Cape Town’s water use is much higher than it could be because of leaks, dripping taps and leaking toilets,” says the City of Cape Town. “If leaks are underground or undetected and ignored for a long time, a lot of water is wasted.”
Repairing leaks, big or small, goes a long way in saving water. Be sure to contact a qualified plumber to fix these leaks and look over your plumbing system as a precaution.
3. DON’T RUSH THE FLUSH
On average, a toilet uses 11 litres of water when flushed. So, you can imagine how much water is consumed by multiple family members several times over the course of the day.
As the modern adage goes, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.” Refrain from immediately flushing the toilet after relieving yourself in the bowl. Only flush when necessary, i.e. when it becomes noticeably yellow or when you (ahem) make an evacuation.
4. OPT FOR SHOWERS
Compared to baths, showers use less water. However, that doesn’t mean you should go overboard with the showering.
Preferably, you should aim for a five-minute shower; if you’re washing your hair, turn off the water until you’re ready to rinse. You’d also do well to invest in a slow-flow showerhead, as it reduces the amount of water used per minute.
5. FULL WASH FOR LESS
Instead of a dishwasher – which consumes a large quantity of water – wash your dishes, pots and cutlery by hand in your kitchen sink. Wait until your sink is completely full before washing them.
As for washing machines, wait until you have a full load before doing your laundry. Most newer machines are equipped with an eco mode setting, which minimises the amount of water used.
6. GARDENING 101
By watering your garden either early in the morning or late in the evening, you reduce water loss due to evaporation, says Lasher Tools. Cooler temperatures effectively allow water to soak into the soil.
Additionally, opt to water your plants using a watering can instead of a hose, use rainwater or household greywater where you can, and focus on directly watering the root zone of your plants to avoid root rot from overwatering.
BE WATER-WISE
It’s tough times like these that remind us just how precious water is. It’s an important natural resource, one that forms an integral part of our daily lives. As such, the thought of “Day Zero” is enough to make our throats dry (and better appreciate the luxury of turning on the tap for a quick drink).
By pulling together and practising these water-saving tips, we can nip this impending water crisis in the bud. In the process, we can learn to become water-wise for the years to come.
