From finding the perfect shower caddy to deciding which rose is right, there’s a lot to think about when setting up the shower you’ve always wanted. But with looming water restrictions – especially with Johannesburg’s drier summers – being conscious of how much H20 you use is something to be mindful about.
Are you wasteful when it comes to water, without realising it? While small things, such as turning off the tap when you brush your teeth, can make a difference in the long run, there are also some really good bathroom gadgets that can assist you in becoming a more eco-friendly bather.
If you feel you’re simply spending too long in the shower, for example, the Waterpebble is a small, water-activated shower timer that stops waste smartly. It’s simple to use too – a series of lights flash as you scrub down. And when they go red, it’s time to turn off the tap. They’re also indicative of how much time you’re spending in the shower versus how long you should be spending there.
Another approach to water conservation could be looking at an eco-friendly showerhead. These are specifically designed to give those who like good water pressure a strong shower in feel, but not necessarily in the amount of water that comes out. The Pulse Eco Showerhead pulses (as the name implies) water 30-40 times a second. This means you’ll actually be using less water than you think. According to the science behind the device, there is a 60% reduction in water use when using a Pulse Eco rose, the best part being that you won’t notice a reduction in the stream.
Some of the newer showerheads (such as Delta’s H2Okinetic) work with a built-in chamber that causes water to exit in a wave pattern – the internal mechanism also controls the speed, movement and droplet size of the water. This creates the feeling of more water without actually using more water. Clever.
And if you’re looking for a different type of green bathroom gadget altogether, the EcoDrain saves energy, not water. Once installed, it works by transferring the heat that’s wasted from a hot shower to cold incoming water, reducing water heater usage by up to 70%. (The fresh water and waste water never actually mix, so you’ll always get a stream of clean, flowing, more energy-efficient water.) And if you have an EcoDrain, you’ll be able to take longer showers, not shorter ones, without worrying about your carbon footprint.
Image: iStock
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