As a body corporate or property owner, it’s important to take steps to conserve water and reduce costs. With a few simple changes, you can make a big difference in your water usage and help protect the environment. Here are 5 tips to help you save water and money.
1. Fix Leaks and Drips.
One of the easiest ways to save water and money is to fix leaks and drips as soon as possible. Even a small leak can waste a significant amount of water over time, which can add up to a higher water bill. Regularly check for leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes, and repair them promptly. You can also install low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water usage.
2. Install Low-Flow Fixtures.
Installing low-flow fixtures is a simple and effective way to reduce water usage and save money. Low-flow faucets and showerheads use less water without sacrificing performance, and can reduce water usage by up to 60%. They are easy to install and can be found at most hardware stores. By making this small change, a body corporate or landlord can save a significant amount of water and money over time.
3. Use Water-Saving Appliances.
Another way for a property manager to save water and money is by using water-saving appliances. This includes washing machines and dishwashers that have a high energy star rating and use less water per cycle. By upgrading to these appliances, a body corporate can save a significant amount of water and money on their utility bills. Additionally, it’s important to regularly maintain these appliances to ensure they are functioning efficiently and not wasting water.
4. Collect and Reuse Rainwater.
Collecting and reusing rainwater is a great way for a home owner to save water and money. This can be done by installing a rainwater harvesting system, which collects rainwater from the roof and stores it in a tank. The collected water can then be used for non-potable purposes such as watering plants, flushing toilets, and cleaning. Not only does this reduce the amount of water used from the mains supply, but it also helps to reduce the water bill.
5. Water and Electricity Tarriff increase 1 July 2023, so take regular readings
With the electricity and water tariffs increasing on the 1 July we again urge Trustees, scheme members, property owners and landlords to be alert to any wastage. Over a relatively short period a water leak can be a costly occurrence particularly if this is only discovered when the municipal bill arrives. To minimise any losses it is highly recommend that water readings are taken from the main bulk meter as regularly as possible, if not daily! A pattern or average can then easily be established which will then be an early warning if there is a jump in the consumption. This should then be investigated further and may require engaging with a plumber or a leak detection service to locate the leak. Continually dripping taps or toilets can also be a contributing factor.
For this to be implemented we would suggest that a scheme member or employee who is on site be tasked with assisting with this function.
Final Thoughts
Your property manager is a valuable resource, there to assist you and your body corporate through decision making processes and setting up protocols such as this one. Wakefields Property Management provides a dedicated business unit comprising of a portfolio manager, secretary, book-keeper and collections clerk – all of whom are there to help ease the task of running an efficient and well-managed property. Contact us today at contact@wakeprop.co.za to learn how we can help you.
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