23 simple ways to conserve water in the home and yard

Reduce water consumption

1. Turn-off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving or soaping hands.
2. Take shorter showers and use less water if you bath.
3. Never throw water away –  pour any surplus into your dog’s water dish, water a plant, or add it to your water kettle.
4. Sweep outside areas instead of hosing with water.
5. Always use a plugged-sink or bowl instead of a running tap.
6. Install aerators and flow-reducing valves on your taps.
7. Convert your toilet to a dual flush to conserve water every time you flush
8. Wash your car with a bucket and sponge only.
9. Check for leaking taps, toilets etc – a water meter will help monitor your usage

Plants and gardens

1. Learn about water-wise gardening.
2. Water plants at the coolest part of the day.
3. Group plants together that have the same water requirements.
4. Water plants with the water you used in the kitchen to rinse fruit and veggies.
5. Choose local indigenous water-wise plants for your home and garden.
6. Adjust sprinklers to water plants and not the pavement.
7. Cover your pool so the water doesn’t evaporate.
8. Check your pool for leaks.
9. Put self-closing spray-nozzles on hosepipes.
10. Set a rain barrel to catch any rain – this water can be used for the garden

Methods to check if your home if leak free

1. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks. Read the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water has been used. If the water meter doesn’t read exactly the same, then there is a leak.
2. To check for toilet tank leaks, add food coloring to the tank. If the toilet leaks, the toilet bowl will have changed color within 30 minutes.
3. Repair dripping taps by replacing the washer. If a tap is dripping at a rate of 1 drop per second, you could be wasting up to 10,220 Liters per year!
4. If your toilet handle constantly stays in a downward position this means that water is constantly running. Replace or fix the handle to avoid wasted water.

via https://forloveofwater.co.za