Deputy Minister of Water Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, recently shared a list of water saving tips, techniques and practices with the community in Carnarvon in the Kareeberg Local Municipality in the Northern Cape, when she launched her “war on leaks” programme.

“Municipalities are incurring loss of revenue through unaccounted for water exacerbated by leaking pipes and taps. Water leaks are a major cause of concern that if not arrested timeously might lead to disaster,” said Mabudafhasi, adding that we are also faced with water wastage which occurs in our homes, schools and businesses as a result of leaking taps and pipes.

The Deputy Minister’s tips include:

• Flush toilets only when necessary;
• Install a multi-flush or dual-flush mechanism in the toilet;
• Plant water-wise indigenous plants;
• Water gardens only in the early morning;
• Install garden drip irrigation on flower beds and sprayers on lawns;
• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth; and
• Repair dripping taps by replacing the washer.

“If a tap is dripping at a rate of 1 drop per second, you could be wasting up to 10 220 liters per year,” warned Mabudafhasi.

The Deputy Minister further advocated rainwater collection and insulation fro hot water pipes.

“Every citizen in South Africa has a duty to spread the word when it comes to water conservation. Let’s make every day a water day,” concluded Mabudafhasi.