Experts share how they save water during water-scarce time
HOUGHTON – Water experts discuss how they save water amid growing water shortages.
The imminent water crisis in Cape Town is not affecting the city alone. At a discussion regarding the water crisis, experts shared their tips for saving water.
Dr Jeunesse Park, an environmentalist who has pioneered a variety of initiatives for greener living, said that it’s a very scary feeling to realise what a water-scarce time we are living in.
Flushing a toilet is one of the biggest water waste’s Park added. Older toilets use between nine and 12 litres of water per flush while newer toilets use about six litres. However, the water used in toilets is clean water which could be used for drinking.
Park said that one of the ways she and her family save water is by using grey water to fill the cistern to flush the toilet. Grey water is the relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances.
Park added that being limited to using 25 litres of water, which is what Cape Town residents will be limited to when it’s day zero is dire. She puts on her body wash before stepping in the shower so that she only has to rinse it off and uses vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean a variety of things.
Stockpiling bottles of water can also be dangerous if the bottles aren’t stored properly. Park said that it’s important to keep water in a cool place as the plastic changes the form of water when left in the sun.
Simon Gear, an environmentalist and broadcaster, echoed Park’s sentiment about the use of drinking water in toilets.
“It is disturbing to try and change your house so that your toilets use grey water,” said Gear. “We need to move to a new phase where greywater becomes embedded into every single new development.
However, until that time, grey water can be collected in showers, baths and washing machines. The grey water can then be used to fill a toilet’s cistern or water plants.
How do you save water at your house? Share your tips with us on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.
Also read:
Water Wednesday: Safety tips for storing and drinking water
Water Wednesday: Water will be cut at 30 municipalities in SA
