Here’s how you can cut down on consumption

LEVEL 3 water restrictions implemented on November 1 are a warning to all households in the Cape that we’re in for a dry summer and that serious consideration needs to be given to the way in which water is used, says Annette Evans, general manager of the Institute of Estate Agents of SA, Western Cape.

Watering of gardens with drinking water from the municipal supply is only allowed if using a bucket or watering container.

No hosepipes or automated irrigation systems are allowed to be used.

In addition, vehicles may only be washed with water from buckets and swimming pools are only allowed to be topped up if they are fitted with pool covers.

No automatic top-up systems and no portable play pools are allowed to be used.

The city has said that tariffs will also increase in proportion to the amount of water used in each household. The first 6kl are free of charge as usual but after that water will be charged at from R16.54/kl for households that use between 6kl and 10.5kl, to R200.16/kl if the usage is above 50kl a month.

Some suggestions for saving water include:

Ensure there are no leaking taps or pipes in the home.

Install water- saving shower heads or taps and only shower instead of bathing.

If you run a bath, recycle that water into the flower beds or lawn in the garden.

Run washing machines and dishwashers only if full.

Wash dishes once a day if done by hand.

Reduce water used in toilets when flushing by putting a plastic bottle filled with water inside the cistern.

Turn off taps while brushing teeth or washing hands.