Editorial

How to conserve water this hot season

Kenyans have been warned to brace themselves for a biting drought that will extend until April 2019. The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Simon Chelugui said the government has set aside 10

  • PublishedJanuary 25, 2019

Kenyans have been warned to brace themselves for a biting drought that will extend until April 2019.

The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Simon Chelugui said the government has set aside 10 billion shillings to expand water, sanitation and sewerage in 28 major cities.

“Considering that drought and floods are natural phenomena, we are ready putting in place measures in liaison with the government and other stakeholders to mitigate its effect,” he said.

Below are a few measures to help you conserve water both at home and at work.

Bathrooms

Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily or leaving the water running while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving. Also make sure you replace your shower-head with an ultra-low flow version. If your shower head is faulty, you can place a bucket beneath to catch the excess water which can be used for other household purposes. Repairing any leaking pipes or taps will also save you some precious drops.

Kitchen

While cleaning vegetables, use a pan filled with water rather than washing them under running water from the tap. If you have an automatic dish washer, it is best to use it when it’s fully loaded.  If it has a “light wash” feature make use of this so that the amount of water used is minimal.

Car washing

Avoid using hosepipes to wash your car as this leads to wastage. If you decide to take your car to the car wash, consider those that recycle their water.

Lawn care

It is advisable to water your garden / lawn in the early hours or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler and water less likely to evaporate. You can check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. Remember you don’t need to water if there is still moisture.  For example if your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn’t need water yet.

As we prepare for the short term drought in our country, we should not forget that drought is a global problem and we need a global solution. Therefore it is our responsibilities to conserve our environment and avoid long term problems. Also remember to stay hydrated this season.

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