water conservation

WATER CONSERVATION

Why is it important to save water ?

The current average consumption of water worldwide is estimated around 1,700 LPCD, 69% of which is used for agricultural purposes. In the year 2000 consumption was double than in 1960. Such trend is no longer sustainable and without conservation efforts this vital supply of water may be exhausted.    Everyone needs not only drinking but also eating and the world’s population growth has led to an increase in the demand for irrigation to grow food crops. Conservation helps offset the inevitable reduction of our individual quota.    The majority of life on Earth is tied to the supply of water, and overuse of water threatens habitats of fish and other life forms which help sustain us. Conservation protects the balance of life on Earth, which would be upset by a reduction in the water supply.    The more water that is consumed, the more the water distribution and treatment systems wear down and need replacement. Additionally, over-consumption of water can overwhelm treatment plants, resulting in some water being forced through before being fully treated, creating health hazards. Conserving water reduces the demands to build and maintain such systems (which also require large amounts of energy to operate).   Remember: water is not processed and delivered to your house for free, whenever you save water you also save money!

Tips to promote water conservation in households

In the kitchen:

Collect unused water in a bucket and use it afterwards to mop the floor or water plants Wash vegetables and fruits in a bowl, not under tap Select one glass (or one bottle) for the day, you will reduce the number of glasses to be washed When washing dishes by hand, fill one basin with soapy water and one with rinse water, do not use running water Don’t rinse dishes before loading dishwasher When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model

In the bathroom:

Use a mug to rinse your razor, not running water Turn off running water while brushing your teeth or shampooing Take shorter showers or, if you take a bath, fill the tub only 1/3 full Install tap aerators and water-saving showerheads Save water every time you flush the toilet by placing a bottle filled with pebbles in the toilet tank (to reduce its volume) and/or reduce the number of flushes Put food colouring in your toilet tank: if it seeps into the toilet bowl within 30 minutes (without flushing) there is a leak and you have to fix it

In the laundry room:

Wash laundry only when the machine is full If you have a top-loader washing machine and you need to replace it, get a front-loader one (it requires less water per cycle) Don’t use running water while hand-washing clothes Recycle clothes-washing water for mopping the floor or flushing the toilet

Outside the house:

If you really have to, do wash your car or motorbike with a bucket of water, not a running hose Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks Install a shut-off nozzle on your hose Plant your garden with drought-resistant native plants (they retain water and help reduce runoff) Water plants only in the early morning or the evening and avoid doing it when it is windy to reduce loss to evaporation Harvest rainwater (check for solutions on www.rainwaterharvesting.org)

Everywhere:

Stop dripping taps by turning them off completely (but not so tightly that you damage the valve seats) and if they are still dripping repair them TEACH THESE SIMPLE WATER-SAVING METHODS TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!