Elle Franco is a TV presenter,
Voice Over artist, MC, producer and a DIY aficionado. Fresh and versatile, Elle
elegantly executes all of her performances with passion. Not just a pretty
face, Elle has had over 7 years experience in the TV broadcasting
industry.
We
sat down with this dynamic lady and asked her for her top 5 water saving tips,
to help our comrades in Cape Town!
"No
matter where you live nowadays, being water-wise and saving water is always a
good idea especially with the effects of global warming and climate change
rapidly taking shape. Not only will your household help the environment but you
will also save money.
Here
are a few handy DIY water savvy saving tips that you can do at home.” Elle says.
Tip
1:
My
first tip may seem obvious, but it’s one that is often overlooked or ignored.
Do a quick inspection of all the taps in your home, inside and outside, for any
leaks or drips. It may be just as simple as changing a ‘washer’.
You
can also reduce the flow of water coming out your taps by adding a regulating
Aerator, which helps to reduce water usage and aids the water to flow softer.
And they are easy to install and inexpensive.
Tip
2:
Most
households make use of a dishwasher and washing machine; make sure that both
are full to the maximum to get the most out of one wash cycle.
If
you are buying a new washing machine or dishwasher look out for the star eco
rated water and energy saving models. Buying these models makes for long term
use in saving water and will make all the difference.
Also
select toilet systems that have dual half and full flush options, using less
water when needed. Always keep a look out for new water saving products
that can be easily added to your home.
Tip
3:
3
Words- Grey water recycling! Grey water recycling is gently used water
from your kitchen or bathroom sinks, showers, tubs and washing machines, which
may contain traces of dirt, grease and certain household products that can be
reused to water your garden and plants.
You
can opt to use and install “grey water recycling systems” or simply connect a “grey
water hose” from your washing machine or bath gutter and let it flow into the
garden. (Remember to also make use of eco friendly detergents).
A
really easy way to grab “grey water” from your bathroom is to make use of small
buckets. Decant the bath water before pulling the plug, or shower with a small
bucket near your feet, this is a great way of collecting extra water to reuse.
Remember to time your shower and only shower for about 4 to 5 minutes to limit
water usage.
One
last easy tip when it comes to showering is to replace shower heads with a low
water usage shower head. There are so many water -wise shower heads
to choose from. Remember…never leave a tap running!
Tip
4:
Gardening
water-wise tips to keep in mind when trying to save water, is to use tap timers
(manual or digital) and connect them to your water irrigation system, this
helps the amount of time used for. You can set specific
times for either early in the morning or late afternoon, which are the best
times to water your garden to limit evaporation from the sun.
When
planting plants in your garden bed add “garden water storage crystals or
granules” to the soil and mix thoroughly. This way when the garden is watered,
the crystals in the soil expand to soak up and store moisture close to the
roots of the plant. Genius! This tip was given to me by friend, Tanya Visser,
everyone’s favourite gardener :-)
Choose
plants that are water efficient, like succulents and plants that are indigenous
to South Africa, these plants need very little water to survive and look lush
and pretty in your Garden.
Tip
5:
Install
a rain water harvesting tank in your home; they are a great way of catching all
the natural rain fall from your roof and gutters. Rain water tanks and
systems come in all different shapes and sizes. Choosing one that
suits your style and budget is easy and will save you money on your water
bills. If you want a DIY option of a rain water harvesting tank, I show you how
in this You Tube video in collaboration with the Home Channel and Builders for
the “Home Made Easy TV show 2017”.
My
DIY version of a rain harvesting bin lives in my garden and comes in so
handy. Follow the link to make your own Rain harvesting tank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p0IeSrP4Mk
Follow her journey:
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