WATER CONSERVATION: IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU
South Africa is a water stressed country, and the water resources are under tremendous pressure from a growing population, ongoing development, pollution, wetland destruction, alien invasive plants and the effects of global warming. An increasing population, changing lifestyles and increasingly erratic weather patterns have led to ever increasing pressure on our water supply. Taking positive action now can help to ensure that there is enough water for us, businesses and the environment.

WATER HAS NO SUBSTITUTE: WHAT IF THIS WAS THE LAST DROP?
This is one of the messages adopted by the Department of Water and Sanitation to drive the water conservation and water demand management campaign. The Minister of Water and Sanitation seeks to remind our nation just how essential and precious water is and that we should work together as a nation to conserve it.

WAR ON LEAKS
Water leakages are a leading cause of water wastage. DWS has declared “War on Leaks” by committing resources to train 15 000 members of the youth to become artisans or plumbers. To learn more, visit www.dws.gov.za.

ADOPT-A-RIVER
DWS initiated an “Adopt-a-river” programme to help South Africans care for our scarce water resources and actively participate in the management of our water resources. To learn more, visit www.dws.gov.za.

TIPS TO SAVE WATER
Top Ten Tips for Saving Water:

  • 6 litres of water per minute. This is what you can save if you turn off the tap while you brush your teeth.
  • An average washing machine uses about 50 litres of water. So wait until you have a full load of laundry before you use it.
  • A typical dishwasher uses about 13 litres of water per cycle. Steer clear from switching it on – for just a few items.
  • Just a single person uses around 13.6 litres of water every time they flush the toilet. Ask your nearest hardware store or bathroom accessories provider for an energy efficient cistern displacement device – and replace your old one with it.
  • Depending on how full you run it, a bath takes anywhere between 65 and 150 litres of water. Replace some of your baths with quick showers and when you do bath, recycle the bath water by using it to water the garden.
  • Subject to its type, a shower can take anywhere between 6 and 45 litres of water per minute! Avoid showering for longer than what is absolutely necessary.
  • Fix those leaks! A dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water per day.
  • Recycle your water by putting a water butt on your drainpipe, or ask your plumber to do it for you. This way you can reuse water collected to water your garden or clean your car.
  • Hosepipes are water guzzlers that use up to 1 000 litres of water per hour! Use a watering can to water your garden or plants instead. To avoid water evaporating, also water your garden early morning or late afternoon.
  • Depending on how full you run it, a bath takes anywhere between 65 and 150 litres of water. Replace some of your baths with quick showers and when you do bath, recycle the bath water by using it to water the garden.