Save water, don't waste it!
The misery of relentless heat is coming home to roost and the problem of drought is affecting all of us. So let's double down on our commitment to use water sparingly
We think we use just 30L of water a day when actual use is nearer to 140L a day. So if you're someone who likes to stand under a powerful shower for a good 10 mins in the morning, well don't be so selfish and stop it immediately! Buy a shower timer and don't shower for more than four minutes at a time. And you can buy water saving shower heads and taps. Pictured above: shower from Grohe
We really should have listened to those climate Cassandras....and while many politicians still try to ignore the elephant in the room that is climate change and the climate crisis, we know we have to conserve water and stop burning fossil fuels. As individuals It's not to hard to use less water, so let's remind ourselves of the checklist why don't we!
Bathroom
Nip to the plumbers' merchant and buy water-saving (aerated) shower heads and taps. The former you can swap over yourself. Likewise if you have an ancient loo that uses gallons of water with each flush, get rid of it if you can and install a loo with a dual flush . Dual flush loos have had a bad rap in the past but they have come on leaps and bounds and installing one is a no brainer. Short flushes use around 2.6L of water and full flushes around 4L. Compare to a traditional loo that would use about 13L of water per flush! Remind any teenagers in the home to NOT run the tap when brushing their teeth... we older folks are, I like to think, entrenched in that good habit. Visit Victorian Plumbing / Bath Center for info on the most water efficient loos.
Kitchen
Use the washing machine ideally once a week and ensure it's full of laundry. I think the 30 minute wash is fine but if you have very dirty stuff the 60 minute run is OK.
Modern dishwashers come out on top in the by hand or dishwasher washing up debate..but again, ensure your machine is full and use the eco mode for a daily clean. Big things such as saucepans probably need washing in the sink so use a bowl and tip the water out over your plants/garden..there is a hosepipe ban and most of us don't yet have dought proof plants...
Generally look for AA/AAA+ ratings on appliances. They really are more eco and use far less water than appliances of old.
Don't buy bottled water, instead use a water filter. Yes it's water from the tap but it will focus your mind on ensuring you have enough glasses of water during hot days, you won't be buying single use plastic and you'll be filtering out chemical nasties that are used in drinking water.
Garden
The hosepipe ban is a pain but if you buy lots of watering cans you can use the hose to fill them up. Water in the evening or early morning and buy mulch to put over your plants so they should only need watering every other day.
