Kenya is currently facing a major water crisis due to climate change, population growth, urbanization, water pollution, and poor water management. Most households in Nairobi are experiencing water scarcity and water interruptions have become an everyday challenge. The meteorological department has predicted depressed rains in the March-May season, which means there is still a chance of experiencing water shortage later in the year. Water interruption can be a major inconvenience, and in some cases, a health hazard.
As your trusted source of verified homes, Hao Finder has prepared tips on how to cope with the current water crisis in the country. We understand that life must go on even during a water outage, and so we have prepared simple but useful ways to physically and mentally prepare when there is a water interruption in your neighborhood.
Invest in a water tank, drum, or a large water container
Water interruptions can last a few hours or even weeks, depending on your neighborhood. If it’s communicated that the water outage will last long, start storing your water in a water tank, drum, or large container.
Use any empty and clean container
If you don’t have a tank or a large container of water, you can fill any clean and empty container with water. If your home has a bathtub or a swimming pool, you can fill it with water you can use. You can also store water in your washing machine or any other plastic and glass containers. Storing water to use for cooking, cleaning or even brushing your teeth should be done in sealed containers to reduce the chance of any containment entering your water supply.
Use a food safe containers to store drinking water
If you plan to store large quantities of drinkable water, go for food-grade plastic. Improper storage can make water unsafe for consumption. Make sure to purify your water if you suspect it to be unsafe to drink. When storing your drinking water, place your plastic containers over cardboard or wooden pallets instead of directly on concrete, as this will prevent any nasty chemicals from leaching out to your water supply and giving it a bad taste or making it unsafe to drink.
Practice water conservation when you take a bath
Try to use as little water as possible when taking a bath. You can use a single bucket of water, and when rinsing your body, step into the plastic basin so it can catch water. You can reuse this water when flushing your toilet or watering plants.
Use disposables
Using disposable plates and utensils when dining can conserve your water supply. This way, you can throw your trash instead of using water to clean it. Stock on hand sanitizers and wet wipes By using hand sanitizers and wet wipes, you can stretch your water supply before the normal water supply is back to normal.
Take your laundry to the Laundromat
During a water outage, taking your laundry to the laundromat may be a good idea to ensure that your clothes are cleaned. You can also delay washing your laundry until your water supply normalizes.
Collect Rainwater
During the rainy season, take advantage of the opportunity to collect rainwater from your house’s gutter or leave pails and containers on your balcony or outside your windows. You can use this water for flushing or watering your indoor plants at home.
In conclusion, as much as water interruption may be unavoidable, learning to cope during such times is quite essential. We hope these tips prove to be useful and will help you to prepare when there is going to be a water outage in your neighborhood. At Hao Finder, we are committed to ensuring that you find the right homes for rent or sale in Nairobi, including Utawala, Roysambu, Kasarani, and Lower Kabete.