Home & Garden

We’ve all heard that it is necessary to save water but only a few know how hard it is when water is scarce. The availability of clean, good quality and cheap water in Europe and the USA has created a false notion that there is plenty of water for everyone. Unfortunately, it is not true.

If you live in Australia or near a desert you’ll understand what I’m talking about. The only reason why there is clean water in your tap is that somebody has treated it and made it usable. Water treatment plants consume electricity and fossil fuel to power its sophisticated machinery. Treating water is actually a very carbon-intensive endeavour.

Here are some water saving tips that could help you cut your water bills and most importantly save the water and reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

• Don’t leave a tap or shower running without need. This is the most important of all water saving tips! Turn the tap immediately after you’ve finished using water. This includes washing teeth and shaving. You only need water at the end of grooming, not throughout the whole procedure.
• Switch to a metered water bill. With unmetered water you end up paying for what you haven’t used and you have few means of controlling your consumption. Call your provider and discuss the possibilities of installing a meter.
• Make your own drinking water by boiling and/or filtering it. Bottled water is a really bad idea because making and transporting it involves too much energy.
• Use A+ class washing machines and dishwashers. Wait until you’ve got a full load of stuff before washing or adjust the program to half-load – thus you will save water and electricity.
• Replace your usual showers and taps with low-flow fittings. A low-flow shower is mixing water with air providing the same quality and feeling but using 30pc less water. It also makes sense to switch to a water efficient toilet.
• Consider grey water reuse system. It will collect used water from the sinks and reuse it for flushing toilets. A rainwater collecting system is a great choice for homes with gardens. You can also reuse water from washing vegetables and from fish-tanks for watering your garden.
• Check your fixtures and fittings for leaks on regular basis. Even a small leak can waste gallons of water. Dont’t leave it to drip!

People following these water saving tips will soon find that their water bills are going down but most importantly you will do what’s right for the environment.