Dam Levels Western Cape 24th January 2011

Against a global rainfall average of 870mm per year, South Africa receives a pitiful 450mm, making it the worlds 30th driest country. Water Rhapsody, with 16 years experience in water conservation, is number 1 in South Africa in Rainwater harvesting systems and greywater recycling systems.

• Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage.
• Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 lt a month.
• There’s no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.
• The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
• Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
• Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
• Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
• Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
• Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 lt of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18 lt per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you’re used to.
• Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it. This saves water and energy, and reduces the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
• Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won’t need to run the water down the sink until it’s cool enough to drink.
• Washing fruit and vegetables in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage.
• Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
• Use a sink strainer.
• Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products. There’s a great range to choose from these days and they’re much better for our environment.
• Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.
• Most washing machines have a load adjustment button or dial, so try to set this to match the amount of washing you’re doing. If your machine doesn’t have a load adjustment function, try to wait until you have enough washing for a full load.
• Installing one of the latest 3 star/AAA rating showerheads can give you a great shower and save you around 10 lt of water a minute. They also save you energy costs, as you’ll use less hot water.
• To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
• Electric or fuel powered leaf blowers work more efficiently than hosing down paths and driveways.
• Pool covers reduce the amount of water you need to keep your pool full and running efficiently.