Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
SU staff and students save water
Author: Corporate Communications / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie
Published: 18/05/2018

​Since the water crisis started in the Western Cape last year, Stellenbosch University (SU) has done extensive work to help promote water saving methods by implementing a range of water saving interventions as well as by changing people's behaviour and water use through public relations campaigns.

In 2017 a strategic plan was implemented which has helped SU successfully decrease its water consumption by 45%. Residences on campus have also contributed to between 20-30% of the savings of potable water use.

 


The strategic plan and use of campaigns on the various campuses have also helped SU students and staff think differently about how they use water, especially in light of some rainfall the Western Cape has experienced over the last few weeks. These are some of the innovative ways students and staff are still saving water:

JC Landsman (Communication Officer, Student Affairs): “I do still think that it is important to continue saving water even if it means we take fewer showers. I personally use more hand sanitizers instead of water to wash my hands. I also have a bucket in the shower to collect water for flushing the toilet and I still only do the 90-second shower."

Ifeama Umeala (Second year BA Politics and Economics Student): “Despite the recent rainfall, we still use the many different measures to save water at Monica residence. For instance, in our showers we have buckets that we use to catch all the water we don't use so that it doesn't go down the drain."

Janine Wenn (Administrative Officer, Division of Finance): “Besparing van water by die huis, is eintlik baie maklik. So ek bespaar eintlik as ek wasgoed in my masjien was, laat ek my pyp lei na die bad toe. Dit gebruik ons om ons motor te was, ons gooi dit selfs op ons gras en blomme wat ons het."

Sarie Salie (BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student): “Water saving is important. We shower with a bucket and use that water for the washing machine and the garden. Being conscious enough to not open the tap too wide when washing. After the rain I think we all need to make a conscious effort to continue saving water because the drought is not something that will go away overnight."

Mariette Du Plessis (Personal Assistant, Financial Planning and Asset Management): “Ek dink nog steeds dis belangrik dat ons water spaar. Ons gebruik ook maar die emmers nog in die stort en bad nie. Ons doen 'n vinnige twee minute stort en probeer ook om almal wat kom kuier daarvan bewus maak om water te spaar."

Lars Sajer (Exchange student): “I am an exchange student from Switzerland with a three more weeks remaining till I go back home. Stellenbosch is a beautiful place with lots of things to do. It was quite interesting coming here with the water crisis and it has definitely changed the way I interact in my daily life, we have these buckets in our residences to save water and I have stopped drinking tap water. Nothing has changed after the rainfall; I think we should still continue saving water."

*Students and staff are quoted in their language of choice.