Hello pillow talkers~ Ready for another random talk with me?
So I remembered it was around 2 months ago when our dear government announced that Selangor's dams are drying up due to the recent drought. This marked the start of 2 days on, 2 days off water rationing. Seriously I was so terrified when I heard that announcement. I am this close to learning a rain dance from some tribal group because I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT WATER! When I am stressed, I can finish a whole bottle of water in one go. I also cannot imagine how am I supposed to live without washing my hair for 2 days. So oily and disgusting.
Well lucky for me, it did not affect my area immediately. I was only affected from Phase 2 onwards. I was so devastated when I turned on the tap and no water came out of it. Like not even a single drop.
"The first experience for me was HORRIBLE!"
Because we could not estimate how much water we actually use and need, we accidentally depleted our entire tank on the first day and ended up showering at my uncle's place. I considered showering in uni, which I assume there's still water supply. But from the second day onwards, we accommodated to it. Yes, it is uncomfortable. Yes, it is inconvenient. But we just have to make the best from the current condition. To be honest, a part of me thinks that this is a consequence of our ignorance towards the warning advertisements to save water.
All those drama aside, I came up with some tips to survive water rationing.
1) Buy A Huge Water Bucket
Water buckets just became the best invention of mankind. That huge red bucket that I thought I will never need, finally has a chance to shine. I actually disagree with how the bucket sellers just jack up the price due to an increase in demand, but they are running a business after all. It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to buy a bucket to store extra water so even if the water tank runs dry, there is still some water left for toilet use, a quick shower or just to brush teeth. Like I said, we went through our first day of water rationing without a bucket to store water and we have definitely learnt from our mistake! It is quite expensive, around RM 79.90 in Aeon but it's a necessity!
One of the huge water bucket
2) Get Clean Drinking Water
THERE IS NO WATER! And to boil water from the water tank is quite unhygienic right? The water can be quite brown and yucky. Honestly, I think not every household cleans their water tank from time to time right? So, the fastest way to clean drinking water is to buy mineral water from petrol stations or hypermarket. It's filtered, clean and immediately usable. They also range from those 1.5L big ones to small 500ml small little bottles. Else, refill your water bottle from water stations that's located everywhere around uni or shopping malls. I actually don't know why people put it right outside the toilet, because it feels very disgusting as if the water was from the toilet but anyways, it is best not to over-think aye?
I cannot survive without water! So here is the drinkable water storage in my house.
3) Don't Flush Unless It's Number 2!
Do you know flushing actually requires a lot a lot of water? Try flushing every time when you pee. The water level will drop extremely fast! So a quick solution is to pour water into the bowl whenever you're done instead of wasting a lot of water for a dramatic flush. I personally find it very gross so I out-ruled this suggestion and decided to save water in other ways. It is clean enough to pour some water into the toilet bowl but I just find it very unsightly and not very clean. Another solution would be to install a dual flush system: a half flush for #1 and a full flush for #2! Unfortunately this system isn't widely implemented in Malaysia, yet!
4) Avoid 'Watery' House Chores
Seriously, do not be stupid and go do your laundry or wash your car during water rationing. House chores can be postponed for 2 days. Seriously, JUST DON'T!
5) Beware of Dengue Mosquitoes
I guess if you're a Malaysian then you're pretty familiar with the idea of dengue fever. It is a disease transmitted by certain mosquitoes and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Their favourite breeding ground is still water. Since 2014, cases of Dengue fever has risen exponentially and everyone is urged to be aware of the severity of this situation. I heard some people are buying lots and lots of red buckets to store their water BEYOND their needs so that they have some buffer water supply but the thing is.. if those water are untouched after some time, it will become mosquitoes' love nest and they'll lay eggs there. So people please store only as much as you need and cover up all the water storage. Those red bucket I mentioned usually comes with a lid so do cover up the lid to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there. Also, make sure the water don't remain still for too long because mosquitoes love still water! Please stay healthy during this difficult water rationing period!
6) Try different hairstyle everyday!
This is for the ladies! You know how not washing our hair a day or two will make it extremely oily and disgusting? It's like your hair doesn't move anymore when the wind blows... My solution? Tie your hair up with different style! Oily hair is so perfect for tying your hair up so it doesn't get messy easily!
You can try..
A high pony tail
A simple fishtail braid (which is a bit messy here because I did it in a rush)
Or use a little hair accessories to distract attention away from your oily hair.
So cool right? Wearing glasses on your head as accessories while wearing contacts?
Okay! That's all the tips I can provide with my personal experience! I saw some poor souls running to buy water buckets and water that day because they recently got affected. News say that the water level only improved by 7% so water rationing may last for another 3 MONTHS! A long long time of endurance it is..
OH HERE'S A TIP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AFFECTED BY WATER RATIONING: It is tough enough for us so please do not rub it in our face as if we desire for it. Just consider yourself lucky and not making the rest of us feel more miserable. Also, please save water for the sake of affected victims. Be nice!
We never know how much we appreciate something until we lost it. Just like we know now how precious is every drop of water. Save water and make the best of the water rationing everybody!
Bye bye now~
