Day Zero is when the dam levels reach 13,5% and when almost all of the taps in the city will be turned off and we will have to queue for water. The more you save, the better our chances to avoid running out of water.
- Only flush the toilet everywhere when necessary. Let the ‘yellow mellow’ at home, work, school, gym, shops, etc.
- Place a full glass bottle in your cistern to reduce each flush to a maximum of 6 litres (if you have no choice but to use municipal drinking water). Flush with greywater only (laundry, bath and shower water) or with rain, borehole or well-point water.
- Use less toilet paper to minimise the risk of sewer blockages and do not use your toilet as a dustbin.
- Close toilet stopcock (angle valve). You will save municipal drinking water.
- Use bleach or disinfectant to regularly
- sanitise toilets and surrounding areas and keep hands sanitised to prevent health risks.
Please note: The use of water from alternative sources has some health and hygiene risks you must avoid. Keep hands and surface areas sanitised and disinfected. Don’t keep greywater for longer than 24 hours.
Keep water containers in a safe place as children can drown in them.
- Take very short, stop-start showers. Wet your body. Turn off the tap. Soap. Rinse quickly.
- Don’t let taps run for too long or at full flow. Use a cup for shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
- No shower? Take a sponge bath. Use minimal water in a basin, bowl or washtub (‘waskom’).
- Use waterless hand sanitiser instead of washing your hands.
- Collect as much washing water as possible and re-use for flushing toilets as a priority. Excess greywater can be used for plants or washing vehicles.
- Don’t let water run while you wait for it to heat. If possible, use cold water or heat your water for a sponge bath,in a kettle or on the stove.