With the local and global spotlight on drought and water saving measures, South Africans are proactively committing themselves to cutting down water usage.
An average household of four using traditional taps and showerheads conservatively consumes around 1 000 litres of water a day, which translates to 30 000 litres a month, and 360 000 litres a year.This is according to David Cooper, Managing Director of Hansgrohe, who says frightening statistics about water scarcity are easy to find, and eco-smart technology is on the rise.
While there has been a big move towards fitting eco-smart technology, Simon Gear, an environmental commentator, says far more South Africans should consider making the switch.
He says the fact is that water is still cheap, and this stops consumers from making it a big focus. Water is also easily accessible to many South Africans, so it is taken for granted, rather than viewed as the scarce, vital resource it is, he says.
According to Simon, at some point in the future, the cost of water will rise dramatically. He says once this happens, we are likely to see far more consumers making their home’s water supply more eco-friendly.
Up to 47% of the world’s cities face periodic water crises. In 2025, demand for fresh water will overtake supply in South Africa.
So, can the average household’s water consumption make a dent in this local and global crisis? David believes that it can.
How can homeowners cut down their water consumption?
As we all know, South Africa is currently experiencing severe drought. Following the El Niño climate cycle that impacts global weather patterns, South Africa is experiencing severe drought and water restrictions.
An average household of four using traditional taps and showerheads conservatively consumes around 1 000 litres of water a day, which translates to 30 000 litres a month, and 360 000 litres a year.
An entry-level eco-showerhead uses 7.5 litres per minute, compared to a conventional showerhead which starts at 14 litres a minute. So by installing an eco-friendly showerhead, homeowners will cut their water consumption - as well as their water bill - substantially.
How does this translate in terms of shower water usage?
If we assume individuals shower for an average of 5 minutes, this could translate to a savings in shower water use of 130 litres per household - 3 900 per month and 46 800 per year - if every family member showers daily.
If we scaled this up to a city with a population of 1 million people, the savings per year are staggeringly high.
Would water usage be reduced if all water outlets were fitted with eco-products?
If all water outlets in a home were fitted with eco-products, the water usage would be reduced even more dramatically - by at least 60%.
Will installing an eco-friendly showerhead also save costs?
The recommended retail cost of an entry-level eco-showerhead, for example, is R225. For a family of four, it will cut water use from showering by around 46.4%. If water is charged at, say R15.87 per kilolitre, the cost will be recouped within about three months. After that, there will be ongoing savings.
"Making sure your house is geared to use water as economically as possible is an excellent starting point to becoming water-wise. It will stand you in good stead both as a committed social citizen and as a cost-savvy consumer," says Simon.
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