How are you using water?

SOUTH CAPE By changing a few habits, it will be easy to save water.

Did you know that old toilet cisterns can use as much as nine litres of clean water every flush? You can reduce this by placing a ‘save-a-flush’ or ‘hippo’ in the cistern. Avoid using colouring for toilet water as these introduce chemicals into the eco-system which can be dangerous and costly to filter out. Many people assume that taking a shower saves more water than taking a bath. In actual fact, this may vary in different circumstances. If a family of four should shower and each have a five-minute shower, this would use 400 litres of water more than double the amount in a bath. if you only have access to a shower, limit showers to five minutes and install low-flow shower heads.

Help to save water by also following these tips

• Keep water in the fridge for drinking so that you do not have to let the tap run to cool water. • Do not leave the water running in the basin while shaving or brushing teeth. • Fix those leaky toilets and taps. • Save water as well as energy by using the minimum amount of water required when you boil water in saucepans and kettles. • Do not waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as at restaurants and hotels, in the end, it affects everyone including yourself. • Fill a bowl of water to clean vegetables, instead of rinsing them under a running tap. • A front-loading washing machine uses up to 40% less water than a top loading model. • Wait until you have a full load before switching on dishwasher and washing machines. • Ensure your water pipes and external taps are lagged in time for the cold winter months. If they burst they will waste a great deal of water.