UNEARTH THE HIDDEN LEAKS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE

Leaks amongst others are the main factors that exacerbate water scarcity, which results from network failure caused by factors such as incorrect installation, lack of maintenance, aging infrastructure, and excessive water pressure. To reduce network failure, it is necessary to plan and budget for resources that will investigate and implement the necessary corrective steps to the water supply system.

Furthermore, the advancement in technology has led to the development of quick “leak detector” devices that enables a quick detection and location of leaks within the network system, including above all, the so-called hidden leaks, which are not visible as they rely on the leakage of water into the ground through gaps derived in impaired pipelines.

South Africa loses about 40% of its water through leaks and unaccounted for water. This triggers the need for landscape businesses to consider investing in a Smart Water concept as an innovative approach to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Equipment and technology

Smart water systems use equipment and technology like sensors and control panels to detect and relay information about leaks and variation in water pressure. To assist with reducing the unnecessary water leaks each water offtake in the landscape should ideally be fitted with its own meter that is either monitored manually or via a smart device (preferred), as smart metering can easily be integrated with irrigation systems. This will help with early leak detection within the water supply or irrigation system. Furthermore, it’s essential to consider other areas where water leakage could pose a significant problem. For instance, a constantly dripping faucet or a leaking toilet can result in an average daily water wastage of 30 to 60 litres. To address these issues and reduce water expenses, Water Wise provides straightforward DIY solutions, including: www.randwater.co.za

• Monitor your water usage: Reading your water meter at the beginning and at the end of each day/every month can help you gauge your household and business water consumption.

• Irrigation system leaks: If an irrigation head is steadily dripping water when the system is off, you may have a leaking valve underground or a worn diaphragm which needs to be replaced. It’s always best to call in the professional landscaper to step in and patch things up properly.

• Landscape inspection: It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your landscape for irrigation system problems, such as sunken ground which indicate an underground leak.

• Fixing leaking taps: Address tap leaks by replacing worn-out tap washers.

• Toilet leak detection: To check if your toilet is leaking, simply add approximately 4 to 5 drops of food colouring into the toilet tank/cistern. If you notice the colouring seeping into the bowl without flushing within 30 minutes, it signals the presence of a leak that requires immediate repair.