On Thursday, 18 January, Cape Town’s mayor Patricia de Lille gave us the news that we had been dreading, not only that we would be moved to level 6b restrictions (meaning only 50litres per household, per day) but that despite efforts we would reach Day Zero by 29 April. Since this announcement, the date has moved forward to 12 April.
The word Day Zero always makes me think of a zombie apocalypse, but it’s really no laughing matter. Cape Town is fast approaching the day when our taps will run dry and we will have to queue every day under armed guards for our daily water. To fully understand the repercussions of Day Zero, take a look at this link: http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/WWFWaterFile_FINAL.pdf.
However, there is still time to delay Day Zero by drastically reducing our water consumption. Here are our top tips to go with your other everyday water saving methods:
- Stock up on waterless products like wet wipes, hand sanitizer and dry shampoo, not only will they help you save water now, but they’ll come in handy when we reach Day Zero.
- Air out your shirts, rather than washing them every day. Place it on a hanger by an open window or on your washing line, so that you can get more than one wear out of them and therefore reduce your laundry.
- Hang your towels on the washing line in the mornings so that they dry easily and won’t leave them smelling.
- If you have a dishwasher, only use it when it’s filled to the brim. Otherwise only washing b =y hand and look at switching to paper plates where you can (look at eco-friendly options).
- You should by now be collecting as much grey water as you can and using this water for flushing your toilet.
- Taking a 1.30min shower is possible by turning off your shower while soaping and on to only rinse.
- Switch to showering only every second day and sponge bathing in the sink on the other days.
- Buy your drinking and cooking water rather than using municipal water.
