JENNY MILLS ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Tips and Ideas: Water-wise everyday living

As summer is in full swing, and unfortunately our water crisis seems to be looming, we have decided to dedicate this month’s issue to being water-wise and sustainable design methods where saving water has been considered.

Water-wise methods for everyday living

Geyser
  • Insulate water pipes.
  • Install a solar geyser to assist in the heating of water.
Toilet
  • Flush only when necessary.
  • Place a closed, flat-based 0.5 litre water bottle in your toilet cistern, away from moving parts, to reduce the amount of water allowed to flow per flush.
  • Do not use the toilet as a rubbish bin.
  • Check your toilet for leaks.
  • If your toilet has a flush handle, once it is flushed pull up the handle or push the float arm downwards, so that less water is allowed to refill the cistern.
Basin
  • Turn off the tap while washing your face, shaving or brushing your teeth.
  • Fix dripping taps.
  • Reduce the water pressure when using the tap.
Shower
  • Take five-minute showers, or shorter if possible.
  • Shower instead of bath.
  • Switch off the water between soaping and rinsing your hair.
  • Place a bucket in the shower to collect used water, which can be reused to water lawns or planting surround the house.
Kitchen
  • Repair any dripping taps.
  • Soak and/or scrape dishes into the dustbin before washing.
  • Do not rinse under running water.
  • Use melted ice for watering.
  • Do not thaw food under running water.
  • Only put as much water in your kettle as you need.
Dishwasher
  • Full load your dishwasher before use. Use the economy cycle.
  • Only use a small amount of water in the sink (once plugged) if washing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
  • If the dishes have been pre-washed, use a shorter cycle