The current combination of extremely high temperatures and no rainfall in many areas has resulted in high water consumption, which places stress on our water system.

In a press release, Rand Water’s media relations manager, Justice Mohale, said they are monitoring reservoir levels. He also stated that it is important to adhere to water restrictions.

We give you a couple of tips to use water more effectively.

Did you know that:

• Showering can use up to 20 litres of water per minute.
• Reducing the toilet flush volume alone can save 20 per cent of total water consumption.
• Taking a bath can use between 80 and 150 litres of water per bath.
• A leaking toilet can waste up to 100 000 litres of water in one year.
• Using a garden hose to wash your car could use as much as 30 litres of water per minute.
• If you water your garden between 10am and 3pm you can lose up to 90 per cent of water to evaporation.

Some water-saving tips

The Department of Water and Sanitation have shared the following tips to save water:

• Turn the tap off between washing your face, brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Take a five-minute shower a day, this will save you up to 400 litres a week, instead of having a bath.
• If you prefer to bath, don’t fill up the bath tub.
• Use low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilet mechanisms and water-efficient washing machines.
• Kettles should not be filled to the brim but with just enough water for your needs. This will reduce your electricity bill too.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.
• Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash rather than the toilet. Every time you flush the toilet, 12 litres of water is used.
• Use “grey water” – used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources – to flush your toilet.
• Do not overfill or excessively backwash your swimming pool.
• Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned off in-between spraying the car.

In the garden

• Always water your plants during the early morning hours or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Every time you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your houseplants. They’ll benefit from the nutrients released from the shell
• Focus on indigenous and non-water-consumptive alien plants (but not invasive alien plants).
• Group plants according to their water needs and add mulch around them.
• Water gardens less frequently, but water well.
• Roof water can also be profitably stored in tanks, for watering gardens.
• Use “grey water” – used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources – to water your garden.