MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The scarcity of not only potable water in the greater Mossel Bay area, but also water for farm use, has been widely reported on in the media in recent weeks.
The spokesperson for the Mossel Bay Municipality Colin Puren again reminds residents of the need to save water as dam levels are constantly declining.
Dam levels
Dam levels are continuing to drop. The Ernest Robertson dam this week is at 74.9% (last week 76.9%, last year this time 88.1%), the Wolwedans dam is at 56.4% this week (57.4% last week, last year this time 78.1%), the Klipheuwel dam is at 53.5% (55.2% last week, last year this time 68.2%), while the Hartebeestkuil dam remains effectively empty at 2.4%. "There are relatively easy ways for residents to prevent water wastage. Often one is not even aware of wastage and this could come as an expensive surprise. We all need to become much more aware of the need to save water to avert punitive water tariffs, should dam levels fall to below 50%," Puren said.
Check your toilet for leaks
Put a few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the colouring begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that may be wasting several litres of water a day.
Save water when you flush
Fill a bottle with water or take a building brick and put it in your toilet cistern, safely away from the operating mechanism. In an average home, this may save many litres of water daily without harming the efficiency of the toilet.
Don't let the tap run while you clean vegetables
Rinse your vegetables, instead, in a bowl or in the sink.
Check taps and pipes for leaks
Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An inexpensive washer is usually enough to stop them.
Don't run hose while washing car
Soap down your car from a bucket of soapy water. Use a hose only to rinse it off.
Children love to play under a hose or sprinkler on a hot day.
Unfortunately, this practice is extremely wasteful of precious water and should be discouraged.
This photo of the Klipheuwel dam was taken by photographer Grey Stopforth on 29 August. The dam is at 53.5%.
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