Most of South Africa is still experiencing a drought. Although Cape Town dams are looking a lot better, we still have water restrictions in place and we still need to save as much water as possible as we come into summer.
A lot of homeowners are renting their houses out for the summer holidays to both national and international guests, and it would be a great idea to give them some tips to save water during their stay. It is always good to remind ourselves on the best ways to save water, wherever we are.
Below are some important tips to remember:
Switch to a dishwasher
Using a dishwasher instead of washing up by hand can save you a considerable amount of water. This is particularly true if your dishwasher is high-efficiency or ecological. Before you load the dishwasher, try to avoid rinsing off your crockery. This is a huge waste of water, so just let the dishwasher do the job!
Just as with the washing machine, dishwashers are designed to be run with full loads. They use an average of six gallons of water per cycle. If you only have a few items that need cleaning, wash them by hand using a basin rather than running water.
Stop running your tap
One of the easiest ways to waste water is running the tap. People run their taps for a variety of reasons, usually to get their water to the right temperature, brushing teeth etc. There are so many different options to avoid wasting so much water! Some examples are, if you are wanting a cold glass of water, simply use ice. If you need hot water, you can use your kettle, and close the tap whilst brushing your teeth These steps may seem time consuming, but they will make a huge difference in saving water. If you have a leaky tap, it’s important to get it fixed immediately. Small leaks end up wasting gallons of water over time! Another good tip is washing produce in a bowl of water rather than under the tap which can save one to three gallons of water. The water you use to cook those vegetables—and any other cooking water—can be reused outside to water the garden.
Take 5-minute showers.
It’s time to get strict with the length of time you shower. 5-minutes is the suggested amount to save gallons of water each day. You may find that you have longer showers in the summer to cool down at the end of a hot day. However, 5-minutes is plenty of time to enjoy the cool water. Put in a waterproof timer into the shower to keep yourself strict with the time limit. If you have kids, try making it into a fun game. You can also consider changing your showerhead to an ecological low-flow one.
Laundry.
Laundry is one of the biggest users of water especially in summer. This is can be rather stressful for large families as you will need to do more loads of washing. Only do your laundry when you have a full load of clothes. Additionally, washing in cold temperature can alleviate water usage. If you have an old washing machine, it may be a good idea to consider upgrading to a newer modern model, as usually they use less water and a shorter cycle to wash your clothes and can save you financially in terms of you water bill.
Toilets
Toilets alone can use up to 27 percent of household water. That’s a lot for something that only deals with waste. There are many low-flow and dual flush toilets on the market, as well as easy DIYs that can conserve water when you flush.
Capturing Water
When it does rain, it would be a shame to let all that precious water go to waste. Capture any rainwater you can. Capturing rainwater that drains from your gutters whether it’s a simple DIY or an upgraded system, rainwater harvesting is a great way to cut down on your municipal or well water use and save water!
It is always recommended they you check your home to ensure there are no plumbing problems before you take off for that well deserved break.
Trojan Plumbing is a strong advocate for saving water. If you require more information or would like to schedule an appointment please do not hesitate to contact us.
