A Bellville garden centre’s borehole water system and daily monitoring routines have caught the City’s attention as Cape Town braces for a longer, drier summer.

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate recently visited Stodels Garden Centre in Bellville to learn about the business’s water-saving measures and to share practical advice for gardeners who want to cut consumption.

Borehole water since 2022

Stodels has used borehole water at its Bellville branch since 2022, treating it on site to drinking-water standards. Staff check the water meters daily and investigate any reading above average, including checking for possible leaks.

Regular awareness and training sessions reinforce water conservation among staff, while signage in the centre reminds both staff and customers to use water responsibly and close taps after use.

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Tips for water-wise gardens

Stodels shared several practical tips for gardeners to reduce water use:

• 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.
• Consider a water-absorbing soil additive when planting or potting, to help retain water and nutrients around plant roots.
• Plant trees to help create a cooler environment during hot summer months.

Justin Emrich, Chief Operations Manager at Stodels Bellville, said the centre actively sources, stocks and promotes water-wise plants and products for customers to use in their own gardens.

‘Every drop we save together’

Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, said the City’s teams are on the ground every day replacing kilometres of aging pipes and 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,” Badroodien said.

He challenged all businesses and residents to look at how they can collectively use less water, saying every drop saved together protects the city’s dignity and continued growth.

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

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