World Water Day: Make a difference, save and join virtual walk

Water woes are a common issue, from Ekurhuleni and Tshwane to Polokwane, the Lowveld, Pietermaritzburg and Empangeni.

A lack of access to clean water affects many South Africans and it’s therefore crucial to try and save every possible drop.

“South Africa faces ongoing challenges of managing its water resources responsibly, with people constantly reminded to do all they can to save water in their daily lives. South Africa is classified as a water-scarce country, with an average rainfall of about 40% less than the global average. Efforts to improve water conservation are therefore critical in addressing this challenge,” says Frith Thomas from Irvine Partners.

BetterBond interim CEO Bradd Bendall adds: “The effects of climate change are already being felt around the country, with recent spells of extreme heat being attributed to El Niño. This, coupled with predictions by ESI Africa that we are approaching physical water scarcity in 2025 and a 17% water deficit within five years, means that waterwise features in the home have become a necessity, rather than a nice-to-have.”

With World Water Day being celebrated today, various companies and NPOs provided some smart ways to save water:

Home and garden

Bendall refers to Day Zero in Cape Town in 2018 when, he says, many lessons were learnt, such as homeowners seeing the value of having a combination of green features to reduce their water consumption.

“Jojo tanks for rainwater storage and boreholes for groundwater have become common features in most homes, and while they may not necessarily make it possible to increase the price of your home when you sell, prospective buyers will be attracted to a home that has its own irrigation options and a thriving garden all year round,” explains Bendall.

Waterwise gardens:

• Synthetic lawns look good throughout the year and require no maintenance.
• If you want grass, consider a wellpoint or borehole for irrigation.
• Opt for drought-tolerant plants that require little water, such as aloes and spekboom, and think carefully about the way you landscape your garden.

“By grouping your plants according to their water needs you can reduce their overall water consumption. Use permeable paving instead of concrete as this allows more water to seep through so that those areas require less frequent watering. Also, by adding mulch to the soil you can reduce evaporation by up to 70%.”

Bendall advises directing bath, shower and washing machine water (greywater) into a holding tank that can be used to water the garden.

“You should also regularly check your home for leaks in taps, toilets and pipes, and repair any leaks promptly – even a small leak can waste a significant amount of water over time. And, installing water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets will reduce water usage without compromising on performance. Water-efficient appliances like dishwashers and washing machines with a good energy efficiency rating will also help your household use less water compared to older models.”

Save water, even when you dine out

You can save water even when going out for a meal.

Reduce the amount of water used to produce ice cubes by telling the waiter that you don’t need a large amount of ice (or none) for your beverages.

“When choosing dishes from the menu, consider opting for options that require less water-intensive ingredients or preparation methods. For example, choosing plant-based dishes over meat dishes can help reduce water usage,” urges Thomas.

Choose restaurants that prioritise sustainability and water conservation in their operations and provide polite feedback to management.

At work

Water-efficient taps, toilets, and urinals in the bathrooms and encouraging responsible water use help to save water at your workplace.

“Incorporate water conservation goals and initiatives into your workplace’s sustainability efforts. Recognise and reward employees and colleagues who contribute to water-saving efforts and encourage collaboration on sustainability initiatives. And, if your workplace has outdoor landscaping, use drought-resistant plants and install a drip irrigation system to minimise water waste,” adds Thomas.

Those around you

Thomas says it is important to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation among family, friends, and community members, to encourage others to adopt water-saving practices in their daily lives.

“Get involved in local water conservation projects, such as river clean-ups and tree planting initiatives. Consider taking part in a fun virtual race to raise funds to provide clean, safe water to villagers in SA,” she suggests.

 

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How?

The NPO social enterprise, Relate, which raises money for various charitable causes, is holding a Virtual Walk/Run 6km until Sunday, where ‘each entry will gift one person clean running water for life’. “Entrants can walk or run anywhere, anytime – even on a treadmill, during the week of World Water Day,” says founder Lauren Gillis.

She explains that women in villages across the country who have no water access, walk approximately 6km every day to collect water from open sources. “This isn’t clean, running water, and it’s often contaminated. They then need to walk back with 20-25 litres of water on their heads. Horrifically, the women face a daily risk of being attacked while on their journey,” adds Gillis.

The money raised from the event will go towards providing the 4 000 residents of the Nomu Wa Huku Village in Mpumalanga with a sustainable solar water system that will provide clean running water to taps throughout the village.

“By participating in these activities, you can help raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and contribute to creating a more sustainable future for our planet,” she concludes.