WATER SAVING - GENERAL
Water, water, water – we won’t have any if we don’t look after what we have … right now!
Whether you’re a tenant, a visitor or an owner, please follow these suggestions:
1 Keep a bucket in every bathroom to collect water for use in toilets; use a bowl in every basin/sink to save every bit of water that you use for anything – all can be used for the garden
2. If you must bath rather than shower, share it and don’t wait for the hot water before you put the plug in. Use bathwater to rinse clothes and/or non-greasy dishes
3. When showering, collect the first cold water in a bucket. Try to consolidate use of hot water so you don’t waste any. Shower less often and NOT out of habit first thing in the morning – always have the plug in the bath and use the water to flush the loo
DO NOT PUT ANY PADS/NAPPIES/PAPER into the toilet: these block the septic tank and need masses of water to clear away. Use the ‘pads/paper’ bins provided: only solids that have been passed through a human should go down the loo. PLEASE CONSIDER: not flushing the loo every time you use it – many of us limit flushing to three or four times a day for ‘solids’.
4. Don’t run the tap continually while you brush your teeth, or the shower while you apply shampoo and/or conditioner. Turn taps off when water is not actually needed
5. Do sweep and mop your terrace/courtyard/pavement with bathwater instead of hosing down and finally use the dirty water afterwards for the garden (detergent fine, but not bleach)
6. Please use a bucket if you must wash the car, or use a car-wash company that recycles water
7. Catch overflow water from air-conditioning units in a jerry can: good for pot-plants/garden
8. Get leaks and dripping taps fixed.
9. Please put a sand-filled plastic bottle or a brick into every cistern to limit the flush amount
10. Use the economy switch on the washing machine and dishwasher. Only use machines with a full load when you really need to. Owners: try diverting washing machine outflow water into the bath: it looks horrid, but is very functional for patios, cars and toilets
11. Irrigate the garden only if it is essential and only in the evening to prevent evaporation
12. Owners: check your water meter reading regularly. This lets you spot changes in consumption (such as leaks), and also gives you targets to improve on. If you are not on an irrigation system, read your meter and turn it off when you go away.
Please display this notice in every bathroom, laundry area and kitchen.