Water conservation: Everyone’s responsibility 

Source: Water conservation: Everyone’s responsibility | The Herald 16 NOV, 2018

It is now in the public domain. The forecast for the next season has revealed that the country stands to be affected by El Nino, which will see Zimbabwe receiving normal to below normal rains.

This is not the first time for Zimbabwe to stand affected by this phenomenon, having pulled through a crippling drought in 2016. The 2016 drought was characterised by serious water stress for areas such as Marula, Esigodini, Mt Darwin, Mutoko, Mutawatawa, Kotwa, Nyamapanda, Mashava, Guinea Fowl and Nkayi. The country learnt its lessons and all water users should start conserving water ahead of the upcoming season.

It is now incumbent upon all Zimbabweans to start conserving water so that we can make the best out of the water stocks held in the dams and other water bodies across the country. This is one way individuals can play a role in mitigating the impact of the expected water stress.

Conserving water eases pressure on water utilities and water infrastructure since the conserved water becomes available for future use. At a time when the demand for treated water is outstripping supply in many towns, water conservation plays a critical role in ensuring that the limited available water is spread over more people than when people accessing the resource are not conserving water.

Water conservation is also beneficial to water users. Conserving water helps water users to reduce their monthly water bills. Most people are saddled with huge water bills simply because they use more water than they require. Such people can end up with affordable water bills through water conservation. The resources they use to pay for the excess water they use can be channelled towards other needs. Zinwa therefore shares the following water saving tips:

Water saving tips in the home

Using buckets when bathing instead of the shower

Repairing all leaking taps and toilet cisterns

Brushing teeth while using water from glasses or cups as opposed to using running taps

Using buckets to wash cars and not hosepipes

Doing laundry using dishes and buckets instead of using running water

Recycling and reusing water from swimming pools (the water may be used to flush the toilets, water flowers or to clean cars and driveways)

Growing drought resistant flowers and lawns

Water recycling

Water Conservation in the fields

Using water efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation

Repairing any leakages along the irrigation system

Irrigating in the mornings or later afternoons

Understanding the water requirements of crops at different levels of maturity

Avoiding irrigating during windy days

Growing drought resistant crops

Saving water remains a collective responsibility and every citizen should play his part.

For more information please contact the inwaCorporate Communications and Marketing Department on callcentre@zinwa.co.zw  You can also like the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Facebook Page or alternatively follow us on Twitter @zinwawater