Importance of water conservation in the built environment

South Africa is a semi-arid area with an average annual rainfall of 464 mm, making it very susceptible to water scarcity. Over the years, the country has seen a change in rainfall patterns, where some areas experience increased rainfall and others little to no rainfall. This informs us that water is not an unlimited resource and it should be conserved for sustainability. Here are some water-wise principles that everyone can incorporate in any built environment.

GREEN BUILDINGS:

Companies looking at greening their working spaces can do so by incorporating energy saving technologies such as solar panels on parking or building rooftops, or light control to increase the amount of light flowing through a window. Harvested rainwater can be directed into the garden or office landscape. Small gardens (e.g. rooftop gardens, living walls) can be created in and around the buildings to enhance the environment and improve the well-being of employees.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME WATER WISE, VISIT: FACTS ABOUT WATER WISE

• Water Wise is Rand Water’s environmental brand. It is a campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the need to value water and use it wisely. • The amount of water available for use remains the same and, despite plans to increase storage capacity through the building of new dams or water transfer schemes, predictions are that the demand for water will outstrip supply by 2025. • The only answer to this dilemma lies in changing people’s attitude and thus their behaviour to use water more wisely. • Changing behaviour at this level requires an ongoing effort, and Water Wise aims to spread awareness and constantly reinforce the message.

HOMES:

Homeowners can reduce the amount of clean water used in their households by reusing greywater from showers and bathrooms to irrigate their garden. Rainwater can be harvested for irrigation or other activities that do not require potable water. In addition, the incorporation of flow regulators in taps and shower heads can help reduce total water consumption by 50%.

LANDSCAPERS:

During landscape designing, landscapers can hydro-zone their plants according to their watering needs to reduce the needless watering of plants. After planting, mulch (organic or inorganic material) can be used to cover the soil to help preserve the soil moisture. This, in turn, will reduce the amount of irrigation required.

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