Water conservation: Time to up our game

We are now in the second half of the rainy season and as predicted in the Meteorological forecast last year, the country has received largely below normal rains.

IN SOME parts of the country, rivers have not even resumed flows since the previous rainy season. Dam levels have not positively changed and in some instances, water levels in the dams are dropping. Reports of crops and livestock already under stress due to lack of water have also started filtering through. The reality is beginning to dawn on many that we are staring in the face of a drought. While we cannot influence the rainfall pattern, we still have a chance to at least save the situation by conserving the limited water already available.

It is now incumbent upon all Zimbabweans to start conserving water so that we can make the best out of the water stocks held in the dams and other water bodies across the country. This is one way individuals can play a role in mitigating the impact of the expected water stress.

Conserving water eases pressure on water utilities and water infrastructure since the conserved water becomes available for future use. At a time when the demand for treated water is outstripping supply in many towns, water conservation plays a critical role in ensuring that the limited available water is spread over more people than when people accessing the resource are not conserving water.

Water conservation is also beneficial to water users. Conserving water helps water users to reduce their monthly water bills. Most people are saddled with huge water bills simply because they use more water than they require. Such people can end up with affordable water bills through water conservation. The resources they use to pay for the excess water they use can be channelled towards other needs. ZINWA therefore shares the following water saving tips:

Water saving tips in the home

◆ Using buckets when bathing instead of the shower

◆ Repairing all leaking taps and toilet cisterns

◆ Brushing teeth while using water from glasses or cups as opposed to using running taps ◆ Using buckets to wash cars and not hose-pipes

◆ Doing laundry using dishes and buckets instead of using running water

◆ Recycling and reusing water from swimming pools (the water may be used to flush the toilets, water flowers or to clean cars and driveways)

◆ Growing drought resistant flowers and lawns

◆ Water recycling Water Conservation in the fields

◆ Using water efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation

◆ Repairing any leakages along the irrigation system

◆ Irrigating in the mornings or later afternoons

◆ Understanding the water requirements of crops at different levels of maturity

◆ Avoiding irrigating during windy days

◆ Growing drought resistant crops Saving water remains a collective responsibility and every citizen should play his part.

◆ For more information please contact the ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Department on callcentre@zinwa.co.zw. You can also like the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Facebook Page or alternatively follow us on Twitter @zinwawater