What a treat it was this morning to wake up to rain having fallen overnight. After weeks of dry, hot, windy weather, with water restrictions in full swing, IT RAINED!
It was so refreshing – cool and cloudy – a lovely start to the week.
Cape Town’s dam levels are looking pretty grim. This time last year they were 84.2% full. This year they are only 50.8%. It is no wonder that we need to take the water restrictions seriously.
Here are 5 Tips to Conserve Water
These are simple to implement – they all make sense and apply to each one of us. I’m sure there are loads more, but this is today’s wisdom!
- Cut back on outdoor watering.
My poor garden is looking parched, even after the rain, but it’s one of those things. Unless your livelihood depends on it, I’m afraid keeping the garden glowing has to move down the priority list.
2. Ensure Your Hose Has an Automatic Shut Off Mechanism.
When watering plants with your hosepipe, ensure you get a nozzle that you have to pull in the handle to turn it on, so it automatically turns off when you release it. This will ensure you don’t accidentally leave it running.
3. Check for Leaky Pipes.
There’s nothing worse than finding pipes that have been leaking and water trickling into nowhere for months on end. Check your water bill to see how much you are spending and if it is higher than usual, you may have a leak somewhere. Check it out.
4. Be Water-Wise Indoors
Shower rather than bath. If you really want to conserve water, turn the shower on, wet yourself, turn the shower off while you are lathering the soap on and then put the taps back on for a rinse. I don’t usually do this, but if you really want to see your water bill come down, you can try that out. Don’t leave the tap running when you are washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
5. Make Use of a Brown Water System & Install Outdoor Tanks
Try rig up the water that runs out of your kitchen and bathroom to an outlet pipe that can go and water the garden. One of our plans for the next month or two is to get an outdoor tank so when winter comes, the rain fills it up for use during the warmer months. That hopefully will reduce our water use as well. The other thing we are planning on doing is paving more and putting down some artificial lawn. Love the idea of less maintenance.
I’ll post those pictures when we do it!
In the Old Testament, drought was a means God used to get people’s attention. After all, it is God…
…Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
(Psalm 147:8)
We appreciate every drop!
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂