How to: Save Water

With less than 37% water available for the summer, this situation is beyond desperate already, so while I'm a little late to jump on the bandwagon, here are my favourite water-saving tips that you can use in your own home. You'll be surprised how much you use, and how you can get used to using less.

Wash Wisely
Basically, if you are able to limit water use by taking a shower of no more than 2.5 minutes - do that. Start the shower with a slow stream and stick a bucket in the shower to collect the water that's wasted while the water heats up. Soap yourself and shampoo your hair without the shower running. Use the water in the bucket to lather with. Once you're fully sudded up, take a quick rinse under the running water, still catching most in the bucket. Apply the same principle to running water when brushing your teeth.

If showering isn't really an option, share a shallow bath of water with kids and/or family members. Do not pull out the plug!

Save Grey Water
This can be done even if, like us, you don't have a garden. The grass is not the only thing that grey water can be used for. Grey water (water saved from baths, showers, washing machines, steaming food etc.) is an excellent source of water from which to flush the toilet with. Simply save the water in buckets or other large containers, and pour into the toilet when you need to flush.

If it's Yellow let it Mellow...
I thought I would battle with this, but, what do you know, I'm still alive. Unless someone has left a stinky deposit in the loo, try to limit the amount of times a toilet is flushed during the day. Mornings, bath times and bed times are pretty easy: have everyone use the loo, and then flush once afterwards (using grey water, of course). Don't forget to still use the Air Freshener (that bit is pretty important).

Fully Loaded
Only use the washing machine and dishwasher when there is a full load to be washed. If there is something small that urgently needs to be cleaned (think kids uniform items, socks and underwear) use the water collected in the shower bucket before you start washing yourself.


There are other obvious things like checking for leaks, installing lower pressure faucets, placing a brick in the toilet cistern etc. that also come into play here, but even if you've done all you can in those areas, these are going to make a huge difference. And that's exactly what we need. Every person has to do their bit to save water.