Water is something we take for granted. Well, that is – until we don’t have it!
Suddenly, your sink is full of dirty dishes, your plants are dying of thirst, and don’t even ask the people in the office how bad you smell after a week without showers (ugh).
There have been numerous major cases for Malaysians over recent years, most notably the current unscheduled water cut that will affect 1,279 areas in Klang Valley.
Guess how many people will be apparently affected by that unfortunate event? Approximately 1.1 million consumers!
And what about the water cut before that, that affected approximately 274 areas in Klang Valley? Definitely not OUR idea of "fun".
Fast fact: Malaysians use an average 210 litres of water per day according to a 2013 UN report, more than twice the recommended daily average.
Making a water system that’s built for the future is obviously important. But that isn’t always a great consolation when you need to brush your teeth today.
So what do you do if you suddenly find that all the taps in your home has run dry?
Step 1 – Staying informed
First, and most importantly, STAY CALM! Some water cuts come without warning, but most of the time, it’s down to planned infrastructure upgrades to improve local water supplies.
Keep an eye on newspapers and social media feeds for announcements. The more paranoid amongst us might be scanning newsfeeds for information anyway.
Don’t worry – in reality you should also receive official notification of any major disruptions via news channels. What’s useful is to check for updates once a disruption is announced.
That not only gives clarity about the length and timing of disruption, but also provides information about any support measures such as water tankers visiting neighbourhoods or help for vulnerable citizens.
Step 2 – Make friends with a (LARGE) water container
The impending water cut is drawing near, which means everyone is getting nervous! It’s time to rush out and join the queues of people trying to buy a water container.
A good water container is your best friend during a period of water disruption. Sure, it won’t sit down and watch your favourite show on Netflix with you, but at least it’ll keep you supplied with that refreshingly essential water!
The World Health Organization suggests that between 50-100 litres of water per person per day are required to ensure that basic needs are met.
Remember to factor in time you’re away from home at work or with family, but either way, that’s a lot of water for your basic needs. So what kind of water container should you go for?
Fast fact: The minimum water required for basic drinking, cooking, and hand washing is around 20 litres per day, according to the World Health Organization.
- Landed property: With landed property you’ve got all the space you need to store a good supply of water.
Consider getting large water containers such as a 90-litre pail to really stock up. If you want to go bigger, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Several of these large containers should help store enough water for short periods of disruption. Rainwater collection is also now mandatory for qualifying properties in Kuala Lumpur, and offers another practical solution to long-term water storage throughout Malaysia.
- High-rise property: Unless you want to turn your living room into a scene from Waterworld, it’s probably best to be a bit more inventive about your water storage.
If you have a bathtub, fill it up in advance to provide clean water for the period of disruption. Stock up your key areas such as bathroom, kitchen, utility, etc with large containers in advance.
If you’ve got room for a 90-litre pail, then try and locate them in strategic locations such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Bonus tip: This should go without saying, but just in case – remember to place the container where you want it before you fill it. It’s a lot harder to do it the other way round #captainobvious
Step 3 – Stock up on drinking water
At this point, you should probably think about the most basic need of all – drinking water.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a new property with good piping, and in an area with tap water you trust, then fill up a clean and sterile container in advance.
Otherwise, it’s time to brave the ‘apocalypse’ at your local supermarket.
The sooner you get to the shops for mineral water, the less likely you are to enter a scene straight from a zombie movie.
People tend to panic-buy when it comes to a water cut, so get your bottled drinking water as far in advance as possible.
Medical guidelines on drinking water can vary, with the World Health Organization suggesting between 2 litres and 16 litres per day depending on the heat, and how strenuous the activity you undertake is.
Unless you’re working outdoors in a physically demanding job though, you should tend towards the lower end of that scale!
Official guidance from the Ministry of Health is Malaysians should drink around 6 to 8 plain glasses of water a day, or about 2 litres.
- Landed property: While outdoor space is a bonus, you might want to consider storing your drinking water inside to keep it cool and make it easily accessible. Nobody wants to go out into the heat to grab a warm bottle of water.
- High-rise property: You’re probably a little more stuck for space than those living in landed property. Try and plan in advance the basic water requirements you will need, and then purchase supplies accordingly. Find clever places to store full bottles like under the bed or at the back of wardrobes.
Step 4 – Keep an Eye on them Supplies
Water disruption doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes they run longer than the stipulated timeframe, and in those circumstances, it can be challenging to keep on top of your daily water needs.
Keep an eye on updates from the water company, but also keep an eye on supplies. It’s better to plan ahead and stock up before you run out.
Collecting rainwater can be a helpful way of topping up on basic needs if you’re really stuck, but remember that just because it fell from the sky, doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe to drink!
Another good measure is to check on the location of water tankers and supply trucks. These are often arranged by water companies to help supply water to residents during periods of water disruption.
Check the website of the water company to see where these distribution points can be found. It’s better to fill from a tank than rely on the fickle chance of rain.
Bonus water disruption tips:
- Only flush when needed: Okay a little TMI here, but we don’t think you need us to explain this in detail. Flush using a large jug or pail when smell gets overpowering. You don’t really need a full cistern to flush a toilet.
- Wet wash, don’t shower: It’s possible to maintain good sanitation conditions with just a sponge, some warm water, and a towel. It’s not forever guys!
- Hand sanitizer is your new best friend: Antibacterial hand sanitizer doesn’t replace the need to wash your hands, but it does provide additional support in good hand health which can be helpful.
- Your kettle is your ally: Boiling tap water and mixing it with cooler bottled water is the most economically friendly way to get warm water for drinks (only if really necessary).
- Shower at the gym or office: Commercial premises sometimes have their own water supplies. It’s worth checking out if you can wash or shower at the gym/office, but check in advance before heading off to use up their limited water supply.
- Re-use water: If you collect water as it drains from regular tasks such as washing up, you can use it again for things like flushing toilets.
- Keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours: With a bad hip and no family nearby, Mrs Chan at Number 47 probably can’t carry the water up the driveway herself. Check to see if vulnerable neighbours have enough water, especially if it’s particularly hot, and help them out if they don’t.
- Don’t waste water on gardens: Most plants are resilient, they can survive without being watered for a few days. Don’t waste water on your garden.
- Remember, it’s not forever: A little bit of water disruption can be a rather large headache, but we should be thankful we have water the rest of the time. More than 2.4 billion people globally lack safe access to basic sanitation services. It might be rough for a few days, but in the grand scheme of things – we’re really some of the lucky ones!
Disruption? What disruption? With these tips you’re ready to kick water disruption to the curb and get on with doing what you do best. Remember to stay hydrated, and check out our simple tips for how to save water in your daily life when the supply is back!
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