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Conserving water
Posted by helen
Conserving water March 03, 2020 10:51PM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
While we are not on water restrictions, here in Auckland we have had very little rain for the last few months and reservoirs are low.
I have been thinking about ways of getting water to the things in my garden that need it most without feeling wasteful.
I have been washing my jasmine rice into a bucket, which then goes over a few potted plants.
I have also put a bucket in the shower to collect the water that runs before the shower gets to the required temperature.
Has anyone else got any novel ideas of using water wisely?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2020 11:46PM by helen.
I have been thinking about ways of getting water to the things in my garden that need it most without feeling wasteful.
I have been washing my jasmine rice into a bucket, which then goes over a few potted plants.
I have also put a bucket in the shower to collect the water that runs before the shower gets to the required temperature.
Has anyone else got any novel ideas of using water wisely?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2020 11:46PM by helen.
Re: Conserving water March 03, 2020 11:18PM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 799 |
Re: Conserving water March 04, 2020 01:26AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
I live just out of Warkworth and we're on tank water - we have capacity to store 50,000L which is usually more than enough with a few summer rains. We're currently on a 5 week waiting list for a 10,000L delivery (which only lasts about 15-20 days max), but we'll probably run out well before then if there isn't any substantial rain. We've got by with 2 deliveries since early Feb, but damn its hard and very annoying. We've got sheep and a lot of chickens too, so they get first access to any water.
I've had to stop watering the garden, except for a few precious plants. Extremely short showers, and only showering if you have to leave the house and see people that day (so it is usually me who goes without for a few days, yuck yuck yuck). Only flushing with #2. The male members of my family pee in the paddocks so no flushing there anyway. Catching all unused water out of the tap into a bottle that goes on plants, you can catch your grey water from the washing machine and use it to water, but not on edibles, same with keeping that bucket in the shower while you're showering - just don't trip on it!
I've had to stop watering the garden, except for a few precious plants. Extremely short showers, and only showering if you have to leave the house and see people that day (so it is usually me who goes without for a few days, yuck yuck yuck). Only flushing with #2. The male members of my family pee in the paddocks so no flushing there anyway. Catching all unused water out of the tap into a bottle that goes on plants, you can catch your grey water from the washing machine and use it to water, but not on edibles, same with keeping that bucket in the shower while you're showering - just don't trip on it!
Re: Conserving water March 04, 2020 05:57AM |
Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 819 |
When we had our boat, we used to switch the shower on to wet the body (and hair if you were washing it). Then turn off the water while you soaped your body and shampooed your hair, then turn the water back on to rinse the soap off.
Likewise, turn the bathroom tap off whilst brushing your teeth rather than leave it running whilst brushing.
Likewise, turn the bathroom tap off whilst brushing your teeth rather than leave it running whilst brushing.
Re: Conserving water March 04, 2020 06:29AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
Re: Conserving water March 04, 2020 11:12PM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,844 |
Here in Whitianga we've had a total outside watering ban for about 2 months. No cleaning your car or washing down your boat, no watering the garden. I have been using the grey water from my washing machine (6 buckets gathered per wash); I have a bucket in the shower and wet myself, turn off the shower while I wash, then on again to rinse. I stand over a bucket and catch what I can. I have an ice-cream container in the bathroom hand-basin and conserve as much as I can by only turning the tap on when necessary. I still catch at least 2 containers full a day. Toilet is the usual "If it's yellow" rhyme. I also flush last thing at night. I have a basin in the kitchen sink and you'll be surprised how many times a day I've been able to tip the contents onto shrubs, etc. and that's with being as frugal as possible with running the tap. Every last spare drop of water is used for the garden and still I have trees dropping their leaves under the stress. We haven't had any rain since about mid-December and gardens are very stressed, with lawns all over being brown and crisp.
Every day for the last week or so, we've had grey skies and can sometimes see rain falling in the Coromandel Ranges, but nothing here.
Every day for the last week or so, we've had grey skies and can sometimes see rain falling in the Coromandel Ranges, but nothing here.
Re: Conserving water March 05, 2020 09:32AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,699 |
There are watergel water storing crystals you can dig into the soil around plants which absorb water to help keep roots moist and help cut water use. I haven't used them. Also if you have access to your toilet water cystern a brick placed inside saves water when the toilet is flushed. Just a couple of thoughts to add to this topic.
Regards Dawn
Regards Dawn
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