Tips on saving this precious resource

With a water crisis looming and Level 2 restrictions in place in the City of Johannesburg, it is crystal clear that we should all start working together to conserve water.

Due to the unsatisfactory response from residents, Johannesburg Water has started with water throttling to areas where high usage have been noted and Roodepoort has been on the receiving end already.

Water throttling is not water shedding – when the water supply system is throttled, the main water outlet valves at reservoirs are partially closed, restricting the outflow and allowing reservoirs to maintain good levels.

Business owners are also being impacted by the water conserving measures implemented by Johannesburg Water. The Record visited some of the car-wash businesses in the area to find out how they stay afloat without making themselves guilty of non-compliance with the water restrictions.

Most of the car-wash businesses use municipal water but their daily usage is restricted. They use pressure washers to wash the cars – these use less water thus aiding in its conservation. Some of the other businesses do not use hosepipes at all – cars are washed with buckets of water. “We wash the car with the soapy water and use a cloth to rinse and dry the vehicle afterwards. We will also use the water to wash two to three vehicles before changing it. Most Engen car-washes use the Eco wash system, where a chemical solution is used and little to no water is required,” said Amon Phiri, an Engen station manager.

Do your bit to conserve water by using these handy tips:

– Up to 400 litres of water a can be saved weekly by taking a five minute shower instead of a bath.

– Showering can use up to 20 litres of water per minute. Filling the bathtub uses between 80 and 150 litres per bathtub.

– If you prefer to take a bath instead of showering – do not fill it to the brim.

– Use a bucket to catch the cold water while waiting for the shower to reach the desired temperature. This water can then be used to water your plants or to fill the toilet reservoir after flushing.

– Put a two litre bottle filled with sand in your toilet cistern – toilet flush water consumption can be reduced by up to 20 per cent.

– 100 000 litres of water can be saved in one year by fixing a leaking toilet.

– 12 litres of water is used every time the toilet is flushed – avoid doing it unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects or other waste in the garbage.

– Use gray water for your plants and to flush the toilet. Gray water is water from from baths, washing machines and other safe sources.

– Save the cooled water from boiled eggs to use on your plants – they will benefit from the nutrients released by the shells.

– Focus on planting indigenous plants in your garden and make sure to remove invasive alien plants on your property.

– Store rainwater in tanks to use in your garden.

– Cover your swimming pool to reduce evaporation – the filling of pools is not allowed when water restrictions are in force.

– Use a rake, broom or leaf-blower to remove dry matter from your driveway – do not use a hose – it can waste up to 30 litres of water per minute – and nothing gets hydrated.

– Fill your pet’s water bowls with frozen treats (ice blocks filled with meat or any other favourite snack), rather than water.

If we all do our bit and try to save water where we can, a full-blown water shortage and crisis can be averted. We would like to know how you save water – send us your tips.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!