Local newsNews
‘It’s time to get serious about saving water’
A Haenertsburg woman passionate about preserving the country’s water resources, has managed to more than half her own household consumption in just six months.
Liz Betton says that her water bill used to be R160 per month for 20 cubic meters.
After implementing a range of measures her water bill went down to eight cubic meters and she is now only paying R60 per month.
She was able to see the difference within two months of implementing the measures.
“In the face of the water crisis, we should be lowering our standards,” Liz told Herald.
• Only take two-minute showers. This is how you do it: Step into the shower basin and get wet. Turn the tap off. Soap yourself. Turn the tap on again and rinse yourself. This takes two minutes of water flow and an amazing amount of water is saved that normally will be allowed to run away. In addition, while showering you are able to capture grey water too by placing a bucket
in the shower to catch the grey water which can be used to flush the toilet, water the garden or wash the floors.
in the shower to catch the grey water which can be used to flush the toilet, water the garden or wash the floors.
• Capture or harvest rain water by using buckets, basins and shopping bags. You can use the water to wash clothes and do dishes. A practical solution is to use a bath to store water (i.e. reservoir).
Also read: Dam levels remain dire
• Wash dishes by hand. Dishwashers consume great quantities of precious water. Only use the dishwasher if packed to capacity and bursting at seams with kitchenware.
• Grey water from the kitchen sink can be captured and used in the garden to water vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
• Liz had great success with foaming toilet treatment. It foams and covers waste for a time and eliminates odour until the toilet is flushed.
• Water saving images from the internet were printed and put up throughout the house. It serves as a reminder for awareness.
• Left-over tea water and vegetable cook water were used to wash hands and to recycle.
Also read: Use water prudently, DWS urges Limpopians
• Keep the drinking water for dogs fresher by removing insects and leaves floating around. You can recycle drinking water for dogs by adding to a bird bath.
• Use a de-greaser on oily, stubborn dirty kitchen utensils and in the stove to lift off grime. This will prolong the use of wash-up water.
• Wipe dirty plates over with a paper towel before washing, it will also prolong the use of dishwater.
• Wash your hair once or twice a week.
• Re-use clothes a few times over.
• Mellow yellow, flush when
necessary.
necessary.
• In conclusion: Become alert and aware like a Cape Town slogan reads: Eat, Sleep, Drink and Think Water Conservation forever!
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
