Six of South Africa’s top Water Explorer teams recently gathered at Umgeni Valley in Howick to present their inspiring water saving efforts to an expert panel. The incredible teams included Mjila Primary, Chelsea Preparatory, Port Shepstone Junior Primary, Home School Amazing Gig, Ebomvini Primary and Shea O’Connor Combined School, each with their own unique story of how they … [Read more...]
Tips for living the 50 litre life
Thank you to all Capetonians! Due to your water-saving efforts and declining water use from the agricultural sector, Day Zero has been moved out to 11 May 2018. However, the only way we can push it out further, is if we keep up the momentum and “live the 50-litre life”. Level 6b water restrictions in a nutshell: Effective from 1 February 2018 with new tariffs … [Read more...]
How to save water and recycle grey water in your home
With level four water restrictions now in place, dam levels currently at 19.6% (with only 10% available as usable water), and the Western Cape now declared a disaster zone by Premier Helen Zille, Capetonians need to do all they can to conserve the province’s precious resource. Even though the Western Cape is gearing up for heavy rainfall, we can still do our best to conserve … [Read more...]
Drought adaptation DIY style: steps to save water
January was not for chickens in the Cape – extreme drought and fires saw the gardens shrivel up and die. So sad to witness and feel the distress all round. Once our veggie plants got stressed the diseases followed. Watching your water consumption with Stage 3 water restrictions and growing food without the farmer’s concessions calls for innovation. How to capture each … [Read more...]
Keeping your greywater clean and useful
My wife and I were chatting recently about using more greywater in the garden. She told me about a conversation she overheard, where a woman was asking what ‘greywater’ actually was and it got me thinking. Firstly, how often does my wife eaves drop on other people’s conversations… and secondly; perhaps a vast majority of people are not only unaware of the benefits of using … [Read more...]
Setting new standards for greywater recycling
As South Africa becomes more environmentally aware, there has been an increase in “green” technologies and greywater recycling is no exception. However in the past, grey water has been often associated with foul odours and the inconvenience of having to move a sprinkler around the garden every time you want to water a different area. The affordable, award winning, easy to … [Read more...]
Funky new water innovation helps you save
Innovation in the water arena is one of our most crucial needs now as climate change threatens our water resources in a fast escalating fashion, especially here in Africa. Being more water-efficient and wise will help sustain our quality of life. It also means less money out of our pockets, as less available fresh water means rising costs. Yet the typical home is set up to … [Read more...]
Paarl’s first green offices aim for 4 stars
Cecilia Square is an exciting new green building being erected on the N1, nearby the Paarl mall. It was launched last week and the plans are to open the doors of this groundbreaking office development on 1 August next year. The building aims to receive a 4 Green Star Rating by the GBCSA (Green Building Council of South Africa) and is one of only 7 green buildings registered … [Read more...]
Step 3 – Now save water!
Step 3 in our 12 steps to a greener 2011 is NOW SAVE WATER. 'Water for Cities - responding to the urban challenge' is the theme of United Nations' World Water Day, to be celebrated in Cape Town from 21 to 22 March. This coincides with South Africa's National Water Week, running from 22 to 27 March. Organized by the Department of Water Affairs, it aims to raise the … [Read more...]
Beware the water guzzlers this summer
February is the worst month for water consumption in the Cape. One resident shares her water consumption calculations and saving devices and plans with us. The City of Cape Town gives all its residents 6kl of free water a month. Last February my family used up this allocation in 3 days. For some households, 6kl is enough water to last them the whole month. We live in the … [Read more...]
