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23 simple ways to conserve water in the home and yard
Every drop counts - Limpopo residents in the city are being warned daily to use water sparingly to avoid a water shortage situation.
Reduce water consumption
- Turn-off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving or soaping hands.
- Take shorter showers and use less water if you bath.
- Never throw water away – pour any surplus into your dog’s water dish, water a plant, or add it to your water kettle.
- Sweep outside areas instead of hosing with water.
- Always use a plugged-sink or bowl instead of a running tap.
- Install aerators and flow-reducing valves on your taps.
- Convert your toilet to a dual flush to conserve water every time you flush
- Wash your car with a bucket and sponge only.
- Check for leaking taps, toilets etc – a water meter will help monitor your usage
Plants and gardens
- Learn about water-wise gardening.
- Water plants at the coolest part of the day.
- Group plants together that have the same water requirements.
- Water plants with the water you used in the kitchen to rinse fruit and veggies.
- Choose local indigenous water-wise plants for your home and garden.
- Adjust sprinklers to water plants and not the pavement.
- Cover your pool so the water doesn’t evaporate.
- Check your pool for leaks.
- Put self-closing spray-nozzles on hosepipes.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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