We don’t want to stress you out any more than 2020 already has, but we can’t just ignore that there are still things out there that need our help. That’s why, just as summer is heating up, we’re reminding South Africa that our country is among the 30-most water-stressed countries in the world. Seriously, the planet is getting warmer and we’re encountering water challenges that will be with us for some time to come.
The good news is that we can all do something about it… It’s not a lost cause, folks! Let’s start with these great water tips that you can apply in your own home.
Exploring other sources of water
A lot of us don’t know that we can use other sources of water rather than the municipal option. We’ve also got grey water, recycled water, borehole/well water, and rainwater, which can be used instead of tap water.
- Grey water: This is bath, shower, and laundry water (not kitchen or toilet water) that you can filter.
- Recycled water: Water that would usually be discarded, but can be collected from cooking (cooled down) ice buckets, vases, etc.
- Borehole/well water: A narrow shaft bored in the ground, either vertically or horizontally to extract water.
- Rainwater: A collection system of pipes, pumps, and tanks to harvest rain that falls onto your roof and into your gutters.
Things you can clean with grey water
Usually, we hook our hoses up to the taps to wash our cars and keep our gardens healthy and thriving. But we don’t have to rely on this water source to do this. We can also use grey water and save around 600 litres. We suggest that you investigate DIY grey water systems, which could cost you around R4,200 for a small to medium-sized garden and around R5,500 for a big garden. It might seem like a lot, but it’s an investment that’ll last years and years, not to mention the money you’ll save on a reduced water bill.
Get the plumber in
Did you know that leaks waste water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Put a stop to this endless waste of water by getting a plumber in to check every tap, pipe, and toilet and fix the little drips that are adding up.
Personal hygiene tips
Some people love a good bath (which saves more water) but some love to shower. Unfortunately, showers tend to use way more water, so if you can’t part with your indoor waterfall experience, the advice is to take shorter showers and install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. These are easy to install and your showers will still be cleansing and refreshing.
Things to do around the garden
There are a few things you can do to save water in your garden. Like watering your lawn only when it needs it, which you can check by stepping on some grass. If the grass springs back up when you remove your foot then you’ll know that it doesn’t need watering. Another thing that you can do is deep-soak your lawn in the cool parts of the day because a sprinkling will just sit on the surface and evaporate in the heat. What a waste!
Turn it off
Seriously. We are wasting so much water in our homes by just keeping the taps running while we accomplish tasks. A few examples include turning the tap off while brushing teeth, shaving, cleaning your veggies and fruit in the sink, rinsing your soapy dishes, etc.
Cover your pool
If you’re a water-conscious swimming pool owner, then we’ve got some cool tips for you that’ll help prevent evaporation. Evaporation is the enemy of pools and the main reason behind always having to top your pool up to maintain its condition and prevent cracking.
Slow the rate of evaporation down:
- Use a pool cover to slash evaporation by a whopping 95%.
- Lower the pool thermostat, because warmer water evaporates quicker.
- Turn off any water features.
- Add windbreaks, which is a barrier placed around your pool to curb the wind’s speed and ability to directly hit the water surface. Why? Because wind can speed up evaporation of pool water.
Just remember to check if any of your pool equipment is covered with your household insurance. These things undergo wear and tear and are subject to damage and theft, and because they can be a bit expensive it’s good to know if your insurance covers them. If you quickly want to check out a buildings and home insurance policy that will cover things like your swimming pool, swimming pool borehole, and spa pumps, then just click here. You can either get a quick quote or get an agent to call you back to discuss an affordable household insurance policy that’s right for you.
We hope that these tips help you reduce your water usage this summer, keep your water bill low, and give you all the confidence of a planet saver. Honestly, if this doesn’t get you into the Avengers team, we’re not sure what will.
Posted in partnership with King Price Insurance
