SOUTH CAPE NEWS - By changing a few habits, it will be easy to save water.
Did you know that old toilet cisterns can use as much as 9 litres of clean water every flush. You can reduce this by placing a 'save-a-flush' or 'hippo' in the cistern.
Avoid using colouring for toilet water as these introduce chemicals into the eco-system, which can be dangerous and costly to filter out.
Many people assume that taking a shower saves more water than taking a bath. In actual fact this may vary in different circumstances. For instance: If a family of four should shower and each have a five minute shower, this would use 400 litres of water, more than double the amount in a bath. If you only have access to a shower, limit showers to five minutes and install low-flow shower heads.
Help to save water by also following these tips
- Keep water in the fridge for drinking so that you do not have to let the tap run to cool water.
- Do not leave the water running in the basin while shaving or brushing teeth.
- Fix those leaky toilets and taps. Save water as well as energy by using the minimum amount of water required when you boil water in saucepans and kettles.
- Do not waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as at restaurants and hotels. In the end it affects everyone including yourself.
- Fill a bowl of water to clean vegetables, instead of rinsing them under a running tap.
- A front-loading washing machine uses up to 40% less water than a top loading model. (One more motivation to get a new washing machine.)
- Wait until you have a full load before switching on dishwasher and washing machines.
- Ensure your water pipes and external taps are lagged in time for the cold winter months. If they burst they will waste a great deal of water.
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