8 Water-wise tips for your home
We have to work together to protect our water sources and use less water.
Try these useful water-saving tips at home:
- Be aware of your water footprint. Conduct a water audit at home, determine your monthly water use from your municipal bill and set goals to become more water efficient. Monitor your use and keep track of your progress.
- Fix leaks at home and report public water leaks to your local municipality. An estimated 37% of water is lost from leaks and costs South Africa billions of rands every year.
- Make your garden water-wise by planting indigenous drought-resistant plants which require minimal watering. Additionally, only water your garden very early in the morning or after sunset to reduce unnecessary evaporation.
- Capture rainwater from gutters to use in your garden and invest in a rainwater tank. Using rainwater not only costs less but is also untreated and so has a lower carbon-footprint.
- Install a grey-water system and recycle water at home. Generally, 40-60% of household water is used for non-essential purposes, such as watering gardens and filling swimming pools.
- Do not pour toxic paint, solvents, chemicals, poisons or pesticides into storm-water, sewer drains or normal rubbish. Find out where your nearest hazardous waste site is and dispose of polluting substances responsibly.
- Identify and remove invasive alien vegetation from your garden and local wetland. Protect and keep your local freshwater ecosystems pollution-free. If you see someone polluting water call the Blue Scorpions on 0800 200 200.
- Be water wise and purchase water-efficient fixtures and fittings as well as water-saving appliances. Use the economy cycle on your dishwasher and washing machine to save water and energy.