Using water responsibly remains important as Cape Town heads into a longer, drier summer and businesses have an important role to play in promoting water-wise practices. The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate recently visited Stodels Garden Centre in Bellville to learn more about their water-saving measures and tips for gardeners. 

At the Bellville branch, borehole water has been used since 2022 and is treated on site to drinking-water standards. Staff monitor the water meters daily and investigate any increases above average, including checking for possible leaks. Regular staff awareness and training sessions reinforce water conservation, while signage reminds staff and customers to use water responsibly and close taps after use.

Stodels also shared some practical tips for using less water in the garden:

• Apply bark or mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and retain moisture in the soil.
• Use the dunking method for suitable potted plants, allowing the growing medium to absorb water effectively.
• When planting or potting, consider a suitable water-absorbing soil additive to help retain water and nutrients around plant roots.
• Plant trees to help create a cooler environment during hot summer months. 

‘At Stodels Garden Centres, we actively source, stock and promote water-wise plants and products for our customers to plant or use in their own gardens,’ said Justin Emrich, Chief Operations Manager at Stodels Bellville.

‘Our teams are on the ground every day replacing kilometres of aging pipes and aggressively fixing leaks to secure Cape Town’s water future, but building a resilient city is a shared mission. When local businesses like Stodels innovate to reduce their consumption, it protects our shared supply and ensures that every community has reliable access to clean water during the dry months. I challenge all businesses and residents to look at how we can collectively use less, because every drop we save together protects our city's dignity and continued growth,’ said Alderman Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

With simple changes and responsible water use, businesses and residents can help make every drop count this summer.