The Waterberg District of Limpopo is facing Day Zero as it was determined that the area only has about 49 days of drinking water left. These are some tips to help if you live in that region.
The Waterberg District of Limpopo is facing the possibility of reaching Day Zero in the next 2-months. For the last month, water levels at Donkerpoort Dam and Frikkie Geyser Dam have dropped to 14% and 12%.
The Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality has reduced daily allowance of water from 125 litres to 97 litres per person per day. The Department of Water and Sanitation has plans to educate the locals about saving water.
“We also want to educate our people to reduce consumption and save the resource from running dry.” – Sputnik Ratau, Department Spokesperson.
We have collected some of our best tips used to help Capetonians and compiled them for the residents of Limpopo to use. Should you be in the areas affected by the looming Day Zero, be sure to read through the list and action as many as possible.
See the water saving tips below.
- Residents are urged to keep between 5 and 10 litres of water available for drinking use only for the household. Residents should also keep additional water for pets.
- Tap water should only be used for consumption or for essential washing.
- Forget the garden all together! There are so many more important things to worry about, nature is resilient and will bounce back when the time is right.
- Do not assume because it has rained, that it is ok to use more water. This is a common mistake and makes things much worse. Even if it rains, wait for authorities to announce that water consumption may increase.
- Encourage your neighbours to work together in saving water.
- A 2-minute shower can use 20 litres in one go, reduce your shower to 1-minute or share a shower session with your partner.
- Place the plug in your sink or a bowl to stop water from running down the drain when rinsing after you dry brush your teeth. Collect said water and use it for the toilet.
- Save your grey water for the toilet and place a brick in the cistern to reduce the amount of water in the tank.
- Tie a packet around your shower head after use to prevent the drops of water from being wasted. Literally, every drop counts now.
- Wipe down all dishes with a damp cloth and do dishes every second-day. Or make use of paper plates that can be recycled.
- Invest in dry shampoo, anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizer to reduce water usage.
- Fill a 2-litre bottle with drinking water each day and drink only that. Do this for your pets as well. (keep their water indoors to prevent evaporation)
- Use your swimming pool water for toilets.
- Take your washing to friends and family and do one large load with everyone’s things.
- Cook one meal a day. Make enough for leftovers the next day.
You can also join various water-saving groups on Facebook to help find new ideas on saving water.
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