WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER DURING A DRY SPELL

Year after year  at this time, St Lucians are plagued with the problem of water shortages. Further this time of year has been coined by the term "Dry Season."  It is also the time when WASCO seems to have the most headache due to their customers being on their backs for want of water. This water company, the only one on island, appears to be unable to meet the consumption level of its patrons and therefore have to resort to water-rationing methods in almost every community.

The effects are so drastic in a few of these communities that one may often see persons in search of water from nearby springs and rivers, and in other areas water is trucked. The trees and shrub also feel the the power of the scorching sun by turning brown and giving the communities a pale view instead of a lush green appearance.

The dry season is between December to May and although rain is still likely during these months, it is a lot less than during the wet season.

Focusing on water conservation and developing good household water use habits BEFORE drought conditions occur is smart, money saving, and earth saving. 

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Install Water Storage Tanks.

Water Storage Tanks

Since not all places have an abundance of water, residential water storage will become increasingly important.

Residential Water Tanks are used for safe drinking water, rainwater harvesting, long term water storage, emergency portable water storage, fire protection, irrigation and gardening. Since you may experience dry spells, or have access to poor quality or contaminated water, having a residential water tank is necessary.

Plastic residential water tanks are the most affordable and light-weight, and they require the least amount of maintenance. Steel tanks are subject to rust and erosion, and wood tanks will rot over time. Concrete tanks are extremely heavy, expensive, and require machinery for installation.

Rayneau’s plastic residential water tanks come from 200 -1000 gallons. Our premium polyethylene water tanks are UV stabilized and reduce algae growth. They are maintenance free and built to last.

We also has a number of water pumps, water purification systems, and other accessories required to make the best out of your Residential Water Tank.

Install a “HET”(high-efficiency toilet) or Dual Flush gadget

Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets that use as much as 6 gallons per flush also happen to be a major source of wasted water in many homes.

Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models.

Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.

Install performance showerheads.

Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.

Showering is one of the leading ways we use water in the home, accounting for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use—for the average family, that adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day. By retrofitting your shower with a low-flow showerhead, you can save a considerable amount of this water.

Install water-saving faucets

Most of us know we can save water if we turn off the tap while brushing our teeth (as much as 3,000 gallons per year!), but did you know that there are products that will help save water when you turn on the tap too? Low-flow faucets and faucet accessories (such as aerators) are high–performing, water–efficient fixtures that will help you reduce water use in your home and save money on water bills. By retrofitting your entire bathroom and kitchen with low-flow labeled fixtures, you can save even more.

Tackle this year's dry season head-on by shopping Rayneau at Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch, or visit our website www.raycip.com,  for all your water-saving fixtures and water6 storage tanks.