Creatively saving water
BRERARIO – A concerned resident, environmental scientist Benita de Wet has highlighted useful ways in which residents can save water.
Johannesburg Water continuously encourages residents to adhere to water restrictions to maintain a steady water supply.
A concerned resident, environmental scientist Benita de Wet has highlighted useful ways in which residents can save water.
De Wet said she had been in her profession which entails doing research on the sustainability of the environment, for 30 years . She has always had an interest in the environment from a young age and it was instilled in her by her family.
“My line of work has given me knowledge and insight into the environment, whereas my parents and grandparents instilled the value of saving water and finding ways not to waste it,” she said. “I believe people need to think of how the water system works in order [to understand] how to use water. Most people aren’t aware that we get our water from other countries such as Lesotho and that we have always been a water-scarce country for some time.”
The nature lover has adopted a number of practical tips to save water that she believes can be used by anyone. De Wet said one of the ways she saved water was by capturing rainwater in a water tank. She was surprised at the quantity of water that was collected after it had rained.
De Wet offers the following water saving tips:
- Cover your pools to stop water from evaporating, which can lower the number of times needed to fill it up
- If there are plants in your garden that can’t survive without regular watering, they are not adapted to the South African highveld conditions. Let them die and replace them with beautiful water wise plants
- If you have a borehole, please use water sparingly. Groundwater is replenished by rainwater and only 35 per cent of annual rainfall eventually seeps down as groundwater
- Stand in a large plastic tub when you shower and use that grey water to water your garden or to flush the toilet
- Educate yourself about where your water comes from and how little there is in our country. Become aware of how much water you are using and do everything you can to reduce that quantity.
