Conserving water is increasingly important these days. Not only is it beneficial for the environment, but it’s also useful for saving money in these challenging economic times. There are many simple, doable ways to reduce your water usage at home, from not letting the water run while brushing your teeth and taking shorter showers to waiting until you have a full load of clothes before running the washing machine. Due to the current lockdown, more people are at home which means an increase in electricity and water usage. After the lockdown is lifted, more people may continue to work from home therefore it is crucial to be cost-efficient during these uncertain times. Here are some easy ways that you and your family/ housemates can save water at home.

Bathing vs Showering
With winter coming up, we know how attractive the thought of a long soak in the tub sounds, especially when you’re working from home and can soak for ages! But filling up your tub and often having to refill with hot water isn’t great for your water bill or the environment. Did you know by choosing a quick rinse in the shower rather than a soak in the bath can save you up to 45 litres? This will not only make an impact on your water usage but heating that water can sometimes account for 25% of your electricity bill.

Be mindful in the bathroom
Did you know a large amount of water is wasted in the bathroom? From flushing unnecessarily to forgetting to fix leaking pipes, you can reduce your water usage and some money by being more mindful in the bathroom. If it’s yellow, let it mellow! You can also use this time to finally fix that leaking tap under your bathroom sink. A leaking tap can waste up to 15 litres a day or 5,500 litres a year. That’s enough water to fill up 5 and a half fire engines! 

Tips for the kitchen
Everyone hates doing the dishes so you will love this tip! Instead of washing a few dishes here and there throughout the day, rather wait for the end of the day and do it in one go, this will save you and your family time and water. Remember, it’s okay for you to be more relaxed about how the kitchen looks during these difficult times and if it means you can make a difference to your water usage, then let the dishes sit.

With the whole family at home during the lockdown, you’re probably cooking every day. Foods that go a long way and are economically friendly are often soups, stews, rice and pasta – all which requires a lot of water to cook. If you’re making soup, why not make extra and freeze it for the next week and the same goes for rice too. You can also consider using a Wonderbag or have a good braai, saving water and electricity.

At the end of the day, making a difference to your water usage is all about being mindful and paying attention to your consumption. Don’t leave water on when it doesn’t need to be on. Don’t flush things that don’t need flushing. By saving water, you’re lowering your environmental footprint and you’re saving yourself money on your water bill every month!