Air and water are the most important elements for the preservation of Life on Earth.
Water, believe it or not, is a limited resource to our Planet; if we do not use it wisely, our water supply could dry up. Water conservation can help now and in the future.
- You may not need a bath or shower every day
Most people (in the Western World) tend to shower every day. We do it over concerns for body odour, health, or just habit.
Normal, healthy skin maintains a layer of oil and “good” bacteria. Washing and scrubbing removes these, and your skin may become dry and itchy.
Antibacterial soap can kill micro-organisms which naturally occur on the skin; this can encourage other hardier organisms that are resistant to antibiotics.
Frequent showers may reduce the ability of the immune system to protect us.
2. Take shorter showers
It makes sense that a shorter shower uses less water. It’s nice to stand under a hot shower, feeling your tension release, but isn’t the point of showering to get in – wash yourself – and get out?
3. Take a shower rather than a bath
A ten-minute shower only uses 100 litres of water. A full bath can use over 200 litres.
4. Take a bath rather than a shower
Okay, controversial, but a shallow bath can use less water than a shower. But who takes shallow baths, seriously?
5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
Leaving the water on while you are brushing your teeth makes no sense. And if you’re brushing your teeth properly, it should take at least two minutes.
6. Check taps and pipes for leaks
A small drip can waste 100 litres of water a day. Besides, a leaky pipe can cause all sorts of havoc in walls and cupboards.
7. Use the dishwasher for full loads only
If you are using your dishwasher just to wash the tea things, you are using it too much. Wait until after you have eaten dinner.
8. Stop using your toilet as a dustbin
Every cigarette butt and tampon you flush uses twenty litres of water. Besides, you should not be flushing those things down the toilet. They can cause plumbing blockages that can lead to sewage problems.
9. Water your lawn only when it needs it
If it rained this morning, your lawn probably doesn’t need more water.
When you do water your lawn, water it long enough for water to seep down to the roots. A light sprinkling will evaporate and be wasted.
10. Use a bucket to wash the car
Soap down your car from a bucket of soapy water. Use a hose only to rinse it off.
You can also try the following:
- Get a toilet with a dual flush – number one or number two
- Flow restrictors on showers
- Use your washing machine for full load only
- Keep bottles of drinking water in the fridge to stop the habit of running the tap to cool it for drinking
- Install a water storage tank which collects rainwater from your gutters. This water can be used to water your garden.
David Owen Nunes
David is many faceted, fascinating, fastidious, fair, fabulous and the other F word. He works in the Pensions Industry, plays occasional golf, and dreams of being able to write full time.
