If what is referred to below is the case in the UK where we all have the idea that it rains “all the time” then how much more important is it that we,in South Africa,should be preserving this important resource.

Will we only wake up to the stark reality of no water when it is too late! Or will we just build another dam to catch water that is not falling in sufficient quantity in the correct place.

Last week we installed a system in Port Edward to feed a house and garden. There is 30 000l tank capacity. On Sunday 11th March the area had 200mm of rain and the tanks are full. The client now has 30 000l of water which should last one month if there were to be no municipal supply. In an area notorious for water supply problems that is a good position to be in.

Waterwise Press Release,13 March 2012

Drought means more efficient water use is urgently required

Short-term emergency measures like hosepipe bans will help with this summer’s drought but they won’t solve what may be a long-term issue. To meet water needs now and in the future we need to start using water better,and we need to start now.

The way to beat this drought is to help people and businesses,all over the country,at home and at work,use water more efficiently. Hosepipe bans are one way of reducing short term use,but once those bans are lifted,we still need people to be responsible with their water usage. Greater pressure on water resources,due to a growing population,increasing per person usage and changing weather patterns,means that even without a drought,the situation is unsustainable.

With this situation compounded by very dry weather over the past two winters,it’s not surprising that some water companies have had to bring in restrictions on water use. Especially in the south and east of England,where eighteen of the last 23 months have seen below average rainfall. The growing severity of the problem underlines the need for more efficient use of water.

Waterwise would like to see an increase in metering to help people and companies measure and manage their water usage. As well,all water companies could be doing even more to help people save water in their homes and businesses. In Britain we use an average of 150 litres per day whereas in Germany and France they use 125 and 110 litres per person per day.

Simple water-saving devices and a few small changes to our daily routines could add up to big savings and help tackle drought,protect the environment and save us money. For tips on how to use water more efficiently see our “Quick Tips”

Jacob Tompkins,Managing Director

“A hosepipe ban doesn’t mean an end to gardening,it just means using water more efficiently (like using a watering can) and choosing plants that aren’t thirsty all the time.”

“Hosepipe bans are an important part of reducing water use,but smart water use shouldn’t stop in the garden. Simple things,like shorter showers,only washing dishes and laundry with a full load,and turning off the tap when brushing our teeth,can actually make a big difference.”

“Water companies have done good work on water efficiency,but not on a large enough scale. If we had delivered larger-scale retrofits to bring per capita consumption down to the government aim of 130L per person per day,instead of the current average of 150L per person per day,then the situation would look a lot different.”