THERE are many things that can be done to save water in the home or office, and they all start with you.
1. When you wash the dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while you rinse. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
2. Adjust the sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, pavement or street.
3. Run your washing and dish washing machines only when they are full. You can save up to 3 000 litres a month.
4. Install a pool cover and check for leaks around your pumps.
5. Keep a water bottle in the fridge instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
6. Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimise evaporation.
7. Spread a layer of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and save water, time and money.
8. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and paving.
9. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruit and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
10. When you buy new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They’re more water and energy efficient.
11. Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models or fit a multi-flush to minimise the water flushed away.
12. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is cut short.
13. Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
14. Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 3 000 litres a month.
15. When you run a bath, put the plug in before you turn the water on, then adjust the temperature as it fills up.
16. Collect water from your roof through rainwater harvesting to water your garden or fill your pool.
17. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
18. Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost your food in the sun or even the fridge for water efficiency.
19. Teach your children to turn off taps tightly after each use.
20. Use a water-efficient shower head. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save up to 2 600 litres a month.
21. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
22. Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
23. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
24. To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, water for five minutes and then repeat two or three times.
25. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, you could save as much as 150 litres a month.
26. Set a kitchen timer when you water your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 35 litres a minute.
27. Install a system to re-route your grey water (shower, bath, hand basin, clothes washer) to your trees and gardens rather than let it run into the sewer line.
