Water conservation: Time to up the game

Water is quite a strategic resource that is also at the centre of socio-economic activities that include agriculture, health, energy, manufacturing, tourism, transport and construction among others. However, it must be appreciated that water is a finite resource that needs to be sustainably extracted and utilised. Failure to sustainably use the available water will lead to serious water challenges for present and future generations.

The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2025 half of the world’s population will be living in water stressed areas. The advent of climate change, whose effects have begun to manifest in many parts of the world, combined with unsustainable extraction of the resource, is set to significantly contribute to the envisaged future water challenges. Already the impact of climate change is being felt in many countries, including Zimbabwe, through unpredictable rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding and prolonged intra season dry spells.

What needs to be done?

With water being a finite resource, it is incumbent that all water users use the available water in a sustainable manner and this includes water conversation. The responsibility to conserve water is no longer the business of water utilities and local authorities alone. Small water conservation efforts by many people can make a big difference.

In most cases we waste lots of water in the home through very small and seemingly insignificant habits and actions.

Did you know?

A full toilet flush can use up to 15 litres of water per flush. Placing a brick or other displacement material in the toilet cistern can reduce this amount to 6 litres per flush

Long showers can use up to four buckets of water every minute

The toilet can account for up to 27% of a household’s average daily water consumption

A leaking toilet may not be noticed but can lose as much as 16 000 litres of water per year

A hose pipe can use as high as 1000 litres of water per hour making the use of watering cans or buckets ideal

Turning the tap off when brushing your teeth can save 6 litres of water per minute

A dripping tap can waste as high as 15 litres of water day

Water conservation tips in the home:

A lot of water in inadvertently wasted in the homes daily. The following practices can result in a household using less water and consequently reduce their monthly water bills:

Using buckets when bathing and not the shower

Where the shower is used, fix it with a low flow or small shower head

Using buckets to water gardens instead of using hosepipes

Placing a brick in the toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used to flush

Growing drought resistant flowers and lawns

Mulching gardens

Using water from swimming pools and other uses to water plants

Using water from water glasses, mugs, tumblers or cups when brushing teeth instead of using a running tap

Watering the gardens early in the morning or in the evening when evaporation is low

Using grey water to water plants

Using buckets and not hose pipes when washing cars

Repairing leaking taps and toilet cisterns

Using smaller toilet cisterns

Doing laundry using dishes and not sing running taps

Washing dishes in water filled sinks as opposed to using running taps

Water conservation tips in the field

Agriculture remains one of the top users of water in Zimbabwe. It is therefore imperative that farmers practice water conservation in their activities. The following can be done to reduce water use on in the fields:

Using water efficient irrigation methods such as drip

Repairing all leakages along the irrigation system

Irrigating in the morning or late afternoon

Understanding the different water requirements for crops at different stages of maturity

Avoiding irrigating on windy days

Growing drought resistant crops

For more information you can contact the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Corporate Communications and Marketing Department on [email protected] or visit www.zinwa.co.zw. You can also like the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter @zinwawater