Happy Friday to all, but especially the four people who won our R500 Takealot vouchers.

Last week we introduced you to Takealot’s one stop Water Wise store, where you can find all the essentials needed to hunker down ahead of Day Zero.

We also offered y’all the chance to win a R500 Takealot voucher by sending in your most creative water-saving tips, so thanks to all those who chanced their arm.

There can only be four, so if your entry is here below then boooya, you’re a winner in this game called life. Damon will email you your voucher code, so happy spending.

To the rest we say hey, soldier on, and maybe you’ll learn something from these tips below.

Bernardette:

See attached, ive been up and running on my rain water catchment for more than a year now and its still going strong! Took some doing to figure out the pipes, but here you go.

All in all 1000lt+ of water can be caught and stored (theres lots of large plastic bins that come out of hiding when the rain is coming down) for use in the vegetable garden and with the current situation being used for toilet and cleaning duties after some disinfectants have been added.

Once full, the overflow gets opened to make sure the yard does not get flooded.

What an intricate set of interconnected pipes and bins.

Just a reminder to everyone using buckets around the house to exercise caution when there are toddlers around. In December a Rondebosch family lost their 20-month-old child in a tragic drowning accident – details here – and they desperately want to save any other family from the trauma they were forced to experience.

Robbie:

Props to Robbie, because this one was from way out of left field. As for peeing in the garden – just be sure to mix up your range, or else you end up killing the grass.

Judi – she went for the jugular here, friends

I’m your potential winner! Pleased to meet you! I’m Judi.

So why is my idea the best?  Because a week ago I already put it out there on social media. Because it was put on the water shedding page. Because it said that I had bought it at TAKEALOT. Because I think It caused takelot to sell out of it… there are no more in stock at the moment! Because it helped people.

What is it? Well, Damon, have a look at the attachment showing you a screenshot of the words and photo that I uploaded to the WATER SHEDDING WESTERN CAPE facebook site a week ago (31st January).  It’s simple …. but as a mum and a teacher… that’s what I need!!

So how popular was my helpful post – It got 284 likes!!

I’ve had the discussion about what to do with toilet paper you’re not flushing a few times, and this solution beats anything I’ve heard.

No flies and no smell for the win.

Lastly, here’s Bronwen:

Start of another week, another string of days getting closer to day zero – starting to feel like ground hog day…

Fire up the washing machine and start the clock.

First wash cycle – soapy water into black bin one – now this is used for washing dogs blankets, garden furniture, out door area, in front of doors – any nooks and crannies that can use a good soaping!

Rinse and spin cycles – go into bin 2. Cleaner water, less soap – now the power lifting session – fill all necessary buckets and place strategically along side loos for flushing. This water because it has less soap can also be used to water the odd plant that has managed to survive up until now, for dishes, general rinsing of hands and feet throughout the day.

Be adventurous with your “captured” water, don’t loss a drop and mostly make it fun – fill those buckets do the weigh training for you arms, jog when moving from the black bin to the end point.

Now that Monday washing is over, to think of tight ar$e Tuesday when like a diet fast you should plan to cut all your water consumption by half for the day.

Rename each day of the week with a goal and motivation for you water initiative.

Wet Wednesday when you have your first shower for the week – aren’t’ you doing the cowboy bath out a basin and using wet wipes alternate days?

Thirsty Thursdays – save today’s drinking water allocation and treat yourself to a cocktail, a beer ( sorry no local micro brewers) make sure it’s all imported

Frantic Friday – when you realize you will be at home all weekend and not at the office. Buy in a few bottles of water ( again not from WC bottlers) for any unexpected guests.

Saving Saturday – go to the beach wallow in the water.

“S”elebrating Sunday – check you water meter, reconcile “water saving water usage” account, rebudget for the coming week – then finish the successful week with a glorious 1 minute shower.

What a life, what a challenge but what a feeling when you know you have broken the “tape” and conquered the week below the 50l per day limit!

Water wise week to you all.

We can forgive the ‘Selebrating Sunday’ gag because of all the effort you’ve put in, Bronwen.

Congrats to our four winners – you guys have done well.

If you’re keen to make a few changes to your water using habits then head over to Takealot’s Water Wise store, where you’ll find a massive range of practical products to send you on your way.

Also, if you happen to be in Cape Town we expect you to be dancing in the rain later this evening.