Water saving travel tips
“Water is the one substance from which the earth can conceal nothing, it sucks out its innermost secrets and brings them to our very lips.”
Here are some helpful tips on saving water
Tip 1: Start at home
So the travel bug has bitten and your suitcases are packed, but don’t forget that being water-wise during your holiday starts at home. Ensure your home is sin-proof before leaving and you’ll have better peace of mind and a happier holiday all round.
It’s a good idea to turn off your stop tap, so you can prevent unnecessary water loss. Also know that allowing your lawn to die during a drought will not be detrimental to you or your health – the lawn will be green again come autumn.
Something that will put your mind and water bill at ease is to install a leak detection system for your geyser. The WERD device detects moisture in the drip tray ─ if any moisture is present, it will shut off the geyser’s incoming water supply within 6 seconds and sound an alarm. This will save your home from expensive water damage, and will prevent your water bill from skyrocketing.
Tip 2: Adjust your attitude
Know where you’re going. Some parts of SA have been hit harder than others during the drought. The Eastern Cape, for example, has suffered the most. It’s not helpful to anyone if you arrive at your destination and immediately become frustrated because the water’s been shut off. Water restrictions are different everywhere and you may find that it’s not the owner’s fault if the taps are dry. Do not complain if the swimming pool is empty. And do not moan if they are busy spray painting the lawn green (or non-existent). It’s of no use and will only sour your own day as well as cause tension between you and the owner, which could well ruin your break.
Tip 3: Lend a helping hand
Even though it might not be your own home, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t alert establishment owners to problems in their rentals. Some owners are not on-site on a permanent basis, so it may be helpful to contact the owner of the establishment about water problems such as dripping faucets or a toilet leak. Toilet leaks can be silent and a rental company acting on behalf of an owner might not notice it. Put food colouring in the loo’s water tank ─ if the colour seeps into the bowl without flushing, the toilet has a leak. Report this immediately and you can help an establishment whittle down their water bill.
Tip 4: Skip the shower
I know it sounds gross, but hear me out. The average shower (8 minutes) uses 120 litres of water. That’s a lot of water just running down the drain, lost forever, especially at a holiday destination where you wouldn’t necessarily see the point in saving shower water for your garden or toilet. So, to save on showers and save wasted water, don’t shower. Change this (initially) gross idea into a fun experiment. Check out a few holiday spots where you wouldn’t necessarily need a proper shower.
Camping can be just the thing! Campsites are often near natural water sources, and no one’s going to notice if you avoid the ablution block. Pack wet wipes and find a campsite near a dam or river that is still full and bathe in the natural water using biodegradable or environmentally friendly soap. If skipping a single shower saves 120 litres of water, imagine what skipping a couple days’ worth would do! Travel Ground has a host of awesome camping options to suit every style and budget so you too can forgo the shower in favour of a greener planet, click here for all our cool camping getaways.
Tip 5: Go green!
We know there’s a water crisis, we know that the big power stations also need water to cool down and we know that the general population aren’t doing much to help the drought. So what can we do? Go green. Use less. Use less water and less electricity. The best way to do this on holiday is to stay at the most environmentally friendly places you can find.
www.travelground.com/blog/5-water-saving-travel-tips