According to an investigation by the Daily Maverick, thousands of water cuts have hit Johannesburg this year as the city juggles its supply. And with the recent heat, many city councillors are worried that the water system is on the verge of yet another collapse.
There have been countless warnings since late 2023, continuing into 2024, about the possibility of a system failure, and earlier this month Johannesburg Water ramped up water restrictions and admitted that 42 out of their 84 reservoirs are leaking—though they only have enough funds to fix 20.
To keep things in check, they’re also planning to throttle water at 28 high-consumption reservoirs using “smart flow controllers.” The investigation also highlights that this is not new—the situation was nearly identical last year when Daily Maverick reported Day Zero-like water cuts across the city.
Here are some water-saving tips to help avoid Day Zero:
Check for leaks
Make sure that the taps inside and outside your home as well as your showerheads don’t leak. Test this by turning off all the taps, watching them closely for a few seconds. Ensure the toilet cistern doesn’t continue filling after flushing then check if your meter is still running. If it is, and you notice any leaks, contact a plumber.
How low can you go?
A great way to cut your water bill is to install a low-flow showerhead. They’re usually affordable and can make a big difference. A regular showerhead has a flow of about 18 litres of water per minute, while a low-flow showerhead delivers less than 10 litres per minute.
Don’t let it run
If you have a just few dishes in the sink, don’t rinse them under the tap, rather put in the plug and either wash them in a little bit of water or wait until you have more dishes and wash them all at once. Also, teach your children to close the tap while they brush their teeth or wash their hands and only open it again when they rinse.
Take shorter showers
Reducing your shower time can save significant amounts of water. Aim for a 5-minute shower—set a timer or play a short song to keep track!
Use grey water
Reuse your bathwater or place a bucket underneath the shower to collect the water while you wait for it to get hot. You can use this on your plants and even to flush the toilet.
Know when to water plants
Water plants early in the morning when temperatures are lower. Watering between 10am and 3pm, when it’s windy, or when temperatures are humid is a waste of water and you can lose up to 90% to evaporation.
Cover pools
If you have a swimming pool, use a cover when it’s not in use to prevent water evaporation. Even better, avoid refilling it during water shortages.
Wash cars with a bucket
Use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash your car. If possible, go even further by using waterless car-washing products.
Be mindful of water usage
Keep track of how much water you and your household are using. The more mindful you are, the more likely you are to make small adjustments that add up.
By using these tips, you can reduce water usage in your household and try to avoid Day Zero.
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Written by Marian Volkwyn for Woman&Home.
Feature image: Pexels
