A Guide to Saving Water in South Africa

A Guide to Saving Water in South Africa

South Africa’s water supply has been on a decline for a while now. This means that there is no longer enough water supply to meet the demands of those inhabiting the environment. The department of Water and Sanitation recently announced the importance of saving water, stating that “South Africa is a semi-arid country and is ranked in the top 30 driest countries. This means everyone has a responsibility to #SaveWater because every drop counts”

We find ourselves in a situation where we are required to proactively participate in the preservation of our water. Not only because of its scarcity in some areas, but because of the potential scarcity in our own areas the way things are leaning currently.

Below are some ways in which you can play your part in saving water.

• Flush the toilet only when necessary (If it’s yellow, let it mellow)
• Reduce your showering times’
• Cover swimming pools to reduce water evaporation
• Avoid always using the hosepipe to clean patios or driveways
• Only wash full loads of dishes or laundry
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
• Be sure to fix any leaks around your home
• Use recycled water when watering your plants
• Minimise how often you wash your car

The preservation of water is an issue that affect everyone. With climate change disrupting weather patterns, water availability becomes unpredictable and water scarcity can become an even bigger issue. Presently, people are trading and investing in water as a commodity. The small ways in which we can effect change to avoid getting to a point where a basic human necessity isn’t accessible cannot be stressed enough. Water may be one of the most important aspects of all of our lives…water is life, and we should play our part and treat it as such.

Written by Keke Khabele