Here are a few simple tips for #capegypsy followers on ways to reduce water usage
Hi there fellow Wanderers,
Today’s musings are focused on taking small steps towards making a larger sustainable impact. Over the last while, living sustainably and being eco conscious have become buzz words, we all know and hear them but often they fill us with a sense of overwhelming. We know in our hearts the positive effects that sustainability can have, however, standing still in our own lives and trying to work out exactly where and how to being, can often be daunting. When starting my own journey, I soon realized taking smaller steps towards sustainability was more practical than a complete lifestyle makeover!
Water wastage and pollution have always been a concern for me. Over the years the change in our drinking water quality and the total disregard for our rivers and seas has become blatantly obvious. When I was little, drinking from the tap or even the hose pipe while playing in the garden was something we all could do. Now as a society we are focused on water filters and bottled water. My concern is where to from here…what will our children’s children be faced with if we do don’t make a move to adjust our actions. I feel taking small steps is not just an important step towards protecting our planet and its resources, it also involves making conscious decisions to reduce our environmental impact by using fewer resources, reducing waste, and conserving energy. There are many simple ways that we often overlook that can help us go green and reduce our water footprint.
For those living in Cape Town with me, we vividly remember the water crisis during 2017/18, the term “Day Zero” came into effect and loomed over us, the concept of being completely out of water was something we had never considered. We became as vigilant in knowing our dam levels and possible rainfall patterns, as we were with checking our social media, water statistics we had never previously been aware off. Tim and I were married in April 2018 and many serious conversations were had over how not to burden our venue with water usage, and the most effective way to still ensure that our guests had enough drinking water. As restrictions increased, we chatted with family and friends outside of the Cape, to rather connect with us via video on our day, than place booked accommodations under more pressure, in term of their water capacity. This led to many special video moments and a responsible water saving solution, as the threat of a “Day Zero” loomed. Fortunately, “Day Zero” was avoided, largely due to the consistent efforts of everyone to conscientiously adjust their water consumption.
With this in mind, today’s journey begins with a few simple suggestions on how to reduce our water usage:
Let’s consider the option of taking five-minute showers, instead of bathing, find your favourite five-minute song to start the day on, or to simply unwind to in the evening, and let it play while you sing away and enjoy the water. This simple solution helps you keep track of your time in a fun way.
A water wise showerhead can also go a long way to reduce your water flow, available at any local hardware and easy to instal, it helps you to be more in control of the water you use. To fully maximise your water savings, consider placing a bucket or container directly under the shower head. This can then collect any excess water flow that would disappear down the drain while you are waiting for the water to warm up. This collected water can then be used to water both inside and outside plants.
For those of us with long hair, it can prove quite tricky to speed wash and condition in five minutes, rather consider turning the water off while you lather or let the conditioner work its magic. If possible, consider a leave in conditioner.
Brushing our teeth is such an ingrained part of our lives, that we often get lost in our thoughts, I find it impossible to stay focused and always end up doing something else at the same time! A great tip, that’s saves up to 10 gallons of water a day, is to simply turn the tap off while you brush or consider using a water filled glass to rinse with. If everyone in your home commits to giving this a try, you will notice a difference in your water usage and bill in no time.
Often, we are so busy with life, we forget to stop and check up on the small things. Leaking taps, toilets or showers can add up to more water waste than you realise. So, take the time to check those little pools of water and fix the leaks. Additionally check for dampness or moisture on your ceiling. This can often be a sign of a leaking pipe or roof. It also pays, to once in a while pop up and eyeball your geyser, just to check all is in order.
Remember, if that saved bucket of shower water is not needed in the garden, it can always be used to flush the toilet.
When it comes to reducing our water usage, it can be so easy to overlook how these little changes have the potential to make a bigger difference. Saving water is not just simply about conserving our resources; but about ensuring that future generations have access to clean drinking water and other essential resources. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know how your small changes are working!
Gwen
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