IT'S been raining continuously since last week and residents are urged to take advantage of the "free water" and save it to flush their toilets, clean and do gardening.
The City of Ekurhuleni Municipality said rainwater can make a difference as taps are running dry.
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"You are billed for what you use. By using your stored rainwater in and outside the house to flush the toilet, clean the house, water the garden and clean the car, you will not be using municipal water and will see a steep drop in your monthly water bill," said Ekurhuleni spokesman Zweli Dlamini.
"Rainwater is valued for its purity and softness. It has a nearly neutral pH and is free from disinfection by-products, salts, minerals and other natural and man-made contaminants. The main benefit for using stored rainwater is evident with plants as they thrive under irrigation with stored rainwater."
- The water is free, the only cost is for collection and use
- The end use of harvested water is located close to the source, eliminating the need for complex and costly distribution systems
- Rainwater provides a water source when groundwater is unacceptable or unavailable or it can augment limited groundwater supplies
- Rainwater is sodium-free, important for people on low-sodium diets
- Rainwater harvesting reduces flow to storm water drains and also reduces non-point source pollution
- Rainwater harvesting helps utilities reduce the summer demand peak and delay expansion of existing water treatment plants
- Rainwater harvesting reduces consumers’ utility bills. A basic rainwater collection system includes a roof, gutters or roof drains and a piping system to convey the water to and from a storage tank or cistern. Storage tanks can be inside or outside, above or below ground or partially above and partially below ground.
