How to save water at home
Water is not only the essential liquid indispensable for life itself and for maintaining health. This valuable natural treasure is necessary to be able to cover many other needs, from irrigating the crops we feed ourselves with, to producing hydraulic energy or enjoying beautiful landscapes in the form of rivers and lakes.
Water is a scarce commodity and in many places on the planet, it is not easy to dispose of it. As indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], more than 2,000 million people live in countries with water scarcity, and climate change means that the prospects for water reserves are not optimistic. Improving water management and making the most of every drop is also in your hands and once how do we give you some simple keys on how to save water? Put them into practice and you will reduce your water consumption (and your bill) by more than you think.
Taps under control
Have you ever thought about how many times you open the taps in your house?… Without realizing it, in this simple daily gesture, we can waste a significant number of liters per month. Keep the faucets open only when you are actually using the water. For example, when brushing your teeth, close it while brushing and do the same while soaping your hands or shaving.
Shower instead of a bath
It is a basic saving measure because it is not difficult to calculate the liters of water needed to fill a bathtub, but beware! According to the WHO, in a standard shower we spend 20 liters/minute, so for this cleaning practice to be efficient (and we do not end up spending more water than taking a bath) it is important to control its duration. A daily shower of five minutes is more than enough and, of course, we must turn off the tap while we lather or apply any hair product. Resorting to low-consumption showers, using ecological shower heads, or changing the shower head if it leaks are other measures pointed out by the Aquae Foundation [2]so as not to waste water in the shower. Another little saving trick?… Collect that water that you let run while it heats up in a bucket because it will serve you for different uses, from watering your plants to scrubbing the floor.
Efficient use of toilet water
Flushing the cistern is another of the daily gestures to look at if we want to save water at home. Only the toilet paper that we use should reach the toilet. Any other hygiene element: wipes, compresses, ear swabs… should go in the bin (put one in the bathroom) not only because getting rid of them by throwing them down the toilet would imply wasting water, but also because they are non-degradable products which cause serious damage to the environment. Use cisterns with double flush mechanisms, which allow you to pour more or less water, or reduce their capacity by placing a bottle of water inside the cistern.
Appliances responsibly and with the right program
The washing machine and the dishwasher are the appliances that use the most water and a good part of the savings are in your hands depending on their responsible use. Always put them at full charge or use specific programs (a half charge, Eco…)
Take advantage of rainwater
The water that falls from the sky is a true gift that cannot be missed, especially if you live in a house with a garden, patio, or terrace where you can put a container to collect it. The uses that you are going to be able to give it are numerous: irrigation, cleaning, cisterns…
Monitors water pressure and controls flow
Sometimes, we spend more water than necessary because when we open the tap we get an excessive flow, but it is something we can control. If you notice that the water pressure in your home is very high and it comes out with a such force that part of it ends up being wasted, it may be a problem with your installation, which you should consult with the service provider. In addition, you have devices that facilitate the control of the water output by reducing the volume of the flow. Limiting filters that are installed on the tap itself by simply screwing them on, modern flow switches by presence, which mean that, for example, only water comes out when your hands are under the tap, or travel limiters on single-lever taps (they do not open from the everything) are some of them.
Efficient use of water in the garden
If you have a house with a garden and a swimming pool, there are many measures you can put into practice to save water, in addition to taking advantage of what rain provides. Try to plant native vegetation, which will require less frequent irrigation. In addition, use efficient systems, such as drip irrigation, and remember that to make the most of the water and avoid its rapid evaporation, the ideal, with high temperatures, is to water at dawn or dusk.
Regarding swimming pools, it is essential to take advantage of the water in the pool using covers and maintenance products that allow its reuse. Emptying the pool at the end of the bathing season and refilling it the following year is a luxury that the Planet cannot afford.
Avoid water leaks and unnecessary losses
Finally, it is important to pay attention to any loss of water that we can detect: dripping taps, stopcocks that do not close properly and cause small water leaks, and humidity in the house that indicates that the water is escaping from somewhere. .. if you detect them, take measures to solve the problem and, thus, not lose a single drop of the liquid that makes life possible.