Water shortages, water stress, droughts and water pollution means that there are more and more individuals struggling for fresh drinking water every day, and this is not counting the millions globally who have little or no access to fresh drinking water and hygienic sanitation.

Current circumstances mean that it is up to every single one of us to conserve and reuse or recycle water wherever we can, and there is no better place to start than in our own homes. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because you have plenty of water now, it will always remain so.

Home water conservation methods include:

  • Checking for Leaks: Check all of your taps and water pipes for leaks regularly; even a tiny drip can waste in excess of 80 litres of water in a day.
  • Check the Toilet for Leaks: A few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank will quickly alert you to leaks;
  • Flush you Toilet Less Often: There is really no necessity to flush the toilet every time you urinate; flushing toilets account for around 30% of household water use;
  • Insulating Water Pipes: Insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation, which will ensure that you get hot water quicker, as well as avoid wasting water while it gets warm;
  • Switch Running Taps Off: Do not let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving;
  • Take Shorter Showers: Switch off the shower after lathering, and only turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 80-160 litres of water;
  • Reuse Grey Water: Instead of letting your bathwater, shower water or dishwater run down the drain, reuse it to water your lawns or other garden plants;
  • Invest in Rain Tanks: Direct the water from gutters and downpipes into rain tanks and use this water to water your garden, wash your car etc.

Another method of saving water in the home is to invest in a water cooler. Water coolers dispense filtered, chilled drinking water, which means no running the tap to let the water cool sufficiently to drink it. Drinking water from a water cooler is also far healthier because it is free of all toxins.