Water Woes – are you conserving?

It has been really hot lately. It’s been so hot that I began to wonder if it was June or July, surely April should be a little cooler! The heat is taking it’s toll on everyone as even animals are seen to find shady spots and hardly move during the midday sun.

The heat is made worse by the lack of any significant rainfall. According to the Met office, there will be no significant rainfall for the island for some time. The lack of rainfall has affected the water levels and the government has already started warning citizens to conserve water.

Conservation Tips

While some communities are already feeling the restriction of little or no water, others are still enjoying the precious commodity.  That might not last much longer though so if you still have a regular water supply there are several things that you can do to keep it that way.

1. When washing dishes, don’t let the water run. Fill one sink with clean water and the other with rinse water.

2. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruit and vegetables and use it to water house plants.

3. Learn how to check your water meter to check for leaks. Unusually high bills can mean a leak.Toilet leaks can be silent – check your toilet periodically to ensure that there are no leaks. One way you can test if your toilet leaks is to put food colouring in the tank.  If it seeps out into the bowl without flushing then there is a leak. Check shower heads and faucets for leaks as well.

4. Collect water in clean containers and secure with a tight cover.

5. When filling a bath, put in the plug before you turn on the pipe so that every drop is used. Or even better consider taking showers instead as they save water.

6. After you are finished with bath water recycle it by watering plants in the garden or flush the toilet.

7. Take shorter showers and remember to turn off the pipe when not in use. This goes when brushing your teeth as well. There is no need to let the water run unnecessarily.

8.  Don’t wash your car too many times and if you have to wash it use a bucket instead of a hose.

9. Avoid giving children toys that require water to operate them.

10. Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid over watering or under watering them.

So are you conserving water? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: water conservation