8 simple ways to save water at home – South Africa

As many of you know, last year the City of Cape Town had implemented high-level water restrictions due to some serious water shortages. A large number of residents and communities were affected by these shortages, some still suffering the consequence to this day.

So, it is imperative to raise awareness on how we can all save water from our homes. Even if you haven’t experienced any water shortages in your area, the below tips will not only help us but also future generations.

Here are 8 easy tips on how you can save water from your home and help prevent the possible water shortages in Gauteng:

1. Reduce your shower time
Many of us use the shower time to do our best thinking (proof) and relaxing. However, many of us don’t know that reducing your shower time to just 5 minutes or less can save up to 21 000 litres of water a year!

2. Fix leaks!
A leak in a pipe or a dripping tap can waste tens of thousands of litres of water a year, so be sure to check and fix every leak that you find. Also, teaching your kids how to tightly close the tap wherever they go helps a lot.

3. Brush your teeth with the tap off
By switching off the tap or shower when you brush your teeth, you save up to 6 litres of water per minute. The same goes for shaving.

4. Using grey water
Grey water is pretty much any used water in your household apart from toilets. Its relatively clean water and usually comes from your baths, sinks, washing machines, showers, and other kitchen and bathroom appliances. Grey water can be used to water your plants and flush your toilets.