With dire predictions about the water shortage in our little patch of paradise, we’re all trying really hard to do our bit and save every drop of water so that we don’t end up as dry as the proverbial bone in the next few months.
To get some tips and advice on how we should all go about saving water, we spoke to Warrior for the Planet – Kerry Dell, who hosts EarthBeat, the DSTV programme that deals specifically with environmental issues in our country, and Allan Hirsch – CEO of Hirsch’s, who has a soft spot for Ballito and its surrounds as he grew up here, and is as passionate about green issues as Kerry is.
This is what they had to say:
Shower instead of bathing. Shower for under four minutes – have fun as a family and time each other!
Retro fit your shower with shower heads (from Hirsch and Mica) that will save up to 10 litres of water per minute. They will also keep your water hot for longer – saving energy and money.
Put a bucket in the shower to catch the cold water, while the water is warming up. This is clean water that can be used anywhere else in the home, including in the kettle. Use a second bucket to collect the soapy water to be used for washing windows and cars.
Turn water off while brushing teeth, lathering up your soapy hands; and putting shaving cream on.
Use dishwashers and washing machines only on full loads. Don’t wash dishes in the sink. Load your dishwasher and only switch on once fully loaded.
Buy a dual flow regulator on your taps. They are specifically designed for kitchen taps (veg prep etc) – You will save up to 6 litres per minute.
Retrofit a single flush toilet cistern with a toilet flush saver (Hirsch’s and Mica) and save up to 60% water. If you flush up to 4 times a day – you will save up to 7,500 litres.
Fix all leaks! Taps, pipes, etc – check all outside taps and pipes. If a leak occurs, attend to it immediately.
Collect rain water (when we are lucky enough to get some) and use for washing cars, topping up the pool, watering the garden. You can use rain water with no filters for numerous things around the home.
Only use water that you have collected (grey water) to water your garden and lawn.
Support Eco Car Washers to keep cars clean. They wash your vehicle without water and it works.
If you’re planting a garden – speak to one of our wonderful local landscape consultants and they will tell you what indigenous plants to use. Incidentally, bougainvillea, altho exotic, is a super plant for the garden as it is not a water gobbler. Speak to Pam Jacobs at Driefontein about the varieties they sell.
Invest in Water from Air – you can buy, rent or lease the machine and have between 32 litres per day to 1000 litres per day. An old technology that has been refined into a real solution for water today. Visit their web site www.waterfromair.co.za or phone them on 0828844881 or email info@waterfromair.co.za for more information.
In next month’s Consumer column, we will be talking about plastic bags! Why are we still using them? Where does the money go? If you have any input for the column, please drop me an email jthomo@gmail.com
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