Conserving water, your way of life…

Many a word has been written about conserving water.  However, most of us have not come to terms with the seriousness of conserving water. We see water in dams and rivers and take it for granted that there is enough water for all. Not so! Through mankind selfishness, South Africa’s water resources are under siege. If all of us do not conserve water, a catastrophe awaits this beautiful land of ours.
Therefore, in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, “conserving water should become a way of life!”
In this article a number of tips on how to conserve water are published in the belief that we in Delmas and surrounds would implement them and show the rest of the country that water is precious. If we are to succeed a concerted effort by all is needed to: “Save water because it is the next generation’s heritage!”

General
Turn off  the tap when you brush your teeth – this can save 6 litres of water.
Install a water butt to your drainpipe and use the water collected to water your plants, wash your car or wash your windows
Fill a jug with tap water and place this in your fridge. This will mean you do not have to leave the cold tap running for the water to run cold before you fill your glass
Invest in water-efficient goods when replacing household products such as dishwashers, showerheads, washing machines and many other water-saving products

•    Check taps and pipes for leaks…
A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, or 5 500 litres of water a year.

•    Don’t use the toilet as an ashtray to wastebasket…
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissues or other solids, two to three litres of water is wasted

•    Check your toilet for leaks…
Put a little food colouring in your toilet tank. If, within 30 minutes, without flushing, the colour begins to appear in the bowl you have a leak that should be repaired immediately

•    Check your water meter for hidden water leaks
Read your water meter and again after a two-hour period when no water was used.  If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak

•    Plastic bottles in toilet tank
To cut down on water waste, put some sand or pebbles to weight the bottles down. Fill the bottles with water and place them in the tank. Make sure they do not interfere with the operating mechanism. This way you can save up to eight litres of water a day

•    Shower-time
One way to cut down on water use, is to turn the water off while soaping up.  Take a shorter shower. Shower can use anything from 6 to 45 litres of water per minute

•    Dishwasher/Washing machine
Use your dishwasher and washing machine for only full loads. When washing dishes by hand do not leave the water running to rinse.

In the Garden
•    Plant drought resistant lawns, shrubs and plants.
•    Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants – mulch will slow the evaporation of     moisture, while at the same time discourage weed growth.
•    Two to three centimeters of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture

•    Don't water the gutter

Water your lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If the grass stays flat after being stepped on, it needs water. If it springs back it does not need watering. Avoid watering gardens/lawns on windy days. Lawn which is cut to short will need more water.
Position your sprinklers so that water lands on the lawn or garden, not on the pavement areas
Water your garden with a watering can rather than a hosepipe. A hosepipe uses 1 000 litres of water an hour.

“Together we can make a difference..!

Illegal land use can land You in jail!

Victor Khanye Local Municipality is concerned over the large number of residents on residential erven, Agricultural holdings and small farms who are contravening the Delmas Town Planning Scheme 2007 through conducting businesses such as transport, scrap dealers, hair salons, panel beaters etc.
The Building Inspectorate of the municipality also draws residents’ attention to the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977) which dictates that “no person shall erect any building without the prior written approval from the Municipal Council.”

Continue reading →

Public Notice

Kindly be informed that you can now purchase your electricity at the Pick n Pay supermarket and through the following website address :https://new.easypay.co.za, use your meter number and follow the instructions on the link. Free units will also be available on the 1^st of each month at vending machines upon purchasing.