World Water Day is this Sunday, the 22nd of March. And, as you may have guessed, the whole point of World Water Day is to acknowledge and tackle the global water crisis. Founded by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 March 1993, it highlights the reality that billions of people are living without access to safe water.

In trying to understand World Water Day, I realised that most of what we’re taught about saving water focuses on reducing how much we use – closing the tap while brushing your teeth (remember that DSTV advert), taking shorter showers or even placing a brick in your cistern.

And while those habits are important, they’re only part of the picture.

Something we don’t often think about is what happens to water after we use it.

The part we don’t always consider

Contamination of fresh water sources is a much bigger problem than we think.

Take the state of Klip River in 2025 – affected by sewage inflow, heavy metals from mining and harmful chemicals. The Mail & Guardian has described it as a ‘toxic time bomb’ and it’s just one example of how vulnerable our water systems are.

In 2021, the Amcor Dam and Ncandu River were contaminated when cleaning chemicals from a local laundry business were discharged into stormwater drains. The result was foamy, polluted water – a visible reminder that what we use every day doesn’t simply disappear.

It’s easy to separate these large-scale events from our own routines, but everyday products play a role too.

Choosing your cleaning detergent wisely

Many traditional cleaning products contain chemicals that don’t fully break down. Instead, they move through wastewater systems and eventually enter rivers, dams and other water sources.

This is where the idea of septic-safe products becomes important.

Septic-safe products are designed to break down more naturally and not interfere with the bacteria that help process waste. In simple terms, they don’t linger in the system or contribute to long-term build-up in water sources.

It’s a quieter, less visible way of reducing pollution – but an important one.

What about added microbes?

Some eco-conscious cleaning products go a step further by including added microbes ( while we’re on the topic … Evolve Biodegradable products contain added indigenous microbes!) – beneficial bacteria that help break down waste.

Rather than just reducing harm, these microbes actively work with natural systems. They break down organic matter like grease and residue more efficiently, both in your home and once they enter wastewater systems.

This means that by the time the water returns to the environment, there is less chemical load and more naturally processed material … I consider this a total win in my eco-journey! 

A simple way to make the switch

Making more eco-conscious choices doesn’t have to mean changing everything at once. Often, it’s just about replacing what you already use with something better suited to the environment.

For example:

• Evolve Laundry Detergent Sheets offer a zero-waste, biodegradable alternative to traditional liquid detergents.
• Evolve Oxygen Bleach with added Microbes combines effective cleaning with those beneficial bacteria that continue working beyond the wash cycle.
• Evolve Citrus Laundry Gel provides a familiar format, but with biodegradable ingredients and added microbials.

These kinds of products are designed to do what you need them to do – while having a lighter impact on water systems.

Final thoughts 

World Water Day isn’t only about using less water – it’s also about being more mindful of the water we return.

It can feel difficult to make a difference when larger industries play such a big role in pollution. But, choosing more environmentally conscious products is one way to contribute quietly and consistently.

It’s not about doing everything.
It’s about making better choices where we can.

Because, at the end of the day, everyday choices can either add to the problem or help reduce it over time.