Water-Saving Tips
- weissangie121
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
As a budding environmentalist, I have been following the environmental calendar to help celebrate special days for environmental issues.
I’m not sure if you ever tried this, but it’s not an easy task. There are so many different environmental calendars out there, each listing different dates for important days. It can get confusing trying to keep track of it all. But, at least according to one calendar, I found that today, 22 March, is World Water Day!
Everyone knows we need to conserve water, so I won’t repeat this message. Instead, I will focus on discussing some of the more practical water-saving tips you can do to save water at home. You never know; maybe something here will resonate with you, and you'll implement it.
1. Water-saving tips for collecting water from outside our homes.
Many people have already installed rainwater collection tanks. These tanks connect directly to gutters and drainpipes, enabling them to collect substantial amounts of water during rain showers and heavy downpours. This water can then be used to water your garden, helping conserve municipal water. It’s an effective and sustainable way to support your outdoor spaces!
But what about conserving smaller amounts of water that often go wasted? Did you know you can collect condensation dripping from air conditioning units or heat pumps? Simply place a container in the area where the water drips, and in no time, you'll have water that can be used to water plants. Also, don’t forget to catch the drips of the overflow pipe from your geyser.
A good water-saving tip, if you cannot install a rainwater collection tank, is to attach a hose to the outlet of your drainpipe. Every day, some water condenses on the roof, and inside the pipe, the hose directs this small amount of condensation water onto your lawn, flower beds, or even into a vegetable container. It won’t completely replace the need for watering, but it will reduce the water you need from your tap.
2. Water-saving possibilities are abundant in the bathroom
One of the most overlooked ways to save water is to fix all dripping taps as soon as you notice them. Most of the time, it's something as small as changing a worn-out washer, so it’s not expensive or difficult to fix.
Taking shorter showers has the potential to save many litres of water. To make it more acceptable to your family members who may not want to conform to the new shorter shower rule, install a shower timer. Use a timer to limit shower durations. It could also be turned into a fun family challenge to see who can finish their shower in the shortest time while still being thorough!
Another tip that many are already implementing in their daily showers is to use a collection bucket for the initial cold water that falls while you wait for the water to warm up to a pleasant temperature. Once done, you can use the water to flush your toilet or water plants. Although, theoretically, if you use a bucket to collect cold water in the shower, it is not wasted. To conserve water further, you can minimise the amount of cold water in your pipes by insulating all your hot water pipes. That way, you’ll get hot water faster when you turn the tap on. Less water will flow down the drain while you wait for it to warm up.
Lastly, if you want to be fancy, you can consider installing a pedal faucet. A foot pedal in your bathroom or kitchen ensures that water flows only when needed, making it ideal for hand washing without the water flowing while you are soaping your hands.
3. Miscellaneous water-saving tips
Collecting rainwater from the roof and ensuring water efficiency in your bathroom are likely the most effective ways to save water in our homes. But other ways around the house can also be helpful.
For instance, re-use the aquarium water. If you have a fish tank, use the nutrient-rich water from tank cleanings to fertilise your plants. Fish waste is a natural fertiliser!
You can freeze leftover cooking water. After boiling vegetables, save the cooled water in ice cube trays. Use these “nutrient cubes” to water your pot plants—they’ll thank you for the minerals!
Use spent ice. After a party, if you have leftover ice cubes in drinks or coolers, don’t let them melt away in a sink or the loo. Drop them into plant pots or garden beds to hydrate the soil.
While we are on the topic of gardens and plants, remember to reapply mulch regularly. Adding fresh mulch to your garden beds helps retain soil moisture and reduces the need for watering. Organic materials, such as wood chips, work wonders. Old leaves and grass clippings can also be used to enrich the soil and retain moisture.
Don’t let your washing machine run half-full. Each load uses the same amount of water, no matter how many clothes are inside. Wait until you have a full load to reduce the number of loads you do each week. The clothes will still be clean even if your load weighs the maximum amount prescribed by the manufacturer. Fewer loads each week equals a considerable water saving.
Lastly, if you're serious about saving water, consider adjusting the pressure valves on your water meter and the main inlet valve that supplies water to your home. Reducing the pressure slightly won’t affect the quality of your showers, allowing you to use less water without changing your habits.
Adopting water-saving practices in our daily lives benefits the environment and helps us save money on water bills. Every small effort counts.
As we reflect on World Water Day, let's commit to being more conscious of our water usage and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can make a difference in conserving this precious resource and ensuring a healthier planet for all.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Do you have a favourite water-saving tip for me? Please let me know in the comments. Also, if you hit the share button (on top of the page), you can use the link to share this article with your friends. By sharing, you will help us grow this site, enabling us to continue writing more informative pieces for you.
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