It may seem hard to imagine when looking out of the window at a very damp image, but the world is facing a serious water crisis. It is more important than ever to conserve water.
This is for a number of reasons. With growing populations, the need to access clean and safe drinking water is growing. So to avoid rising costs and potential conflict that could arise from water scarcity, it’s important to plan now and build water conservation into our day-to-day habits.
In recent years, many of us have seen longer, hotter summers and habitually reducing water usage helps minimise the effects of water shortages and possible drought.
And of course, using less water reduces the energy needed to treat and deliver it to our homes, businesses and communities, so it helps to reduce pollution and fuel consumption.
- Reduce your time in the shower
- Turn the shower off when applying soap
- Install water-saving shower heads
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving
- Take fewer and shallower baths
- Share baths (only works for a family - 'don’t throw baby out with the bathwater')
- Use bath water to water plants
- Install a water butt to catch rainwater
- Catch rainwater with buckets or pans and use for watering
- Use pasta water for watering plants
- Don’t rinse plates before going into the dishwasher
- Use a dishwasher efficiently - fill it until completely full and use the eco cycle
- Minimise the amount of clothes washing you do, spot clean marks on otherwise clean clothing
- Check pipes for leaks
- In the garden, water during the coolest part of the day
- Deep soak lawns and beds so water gets to the roots
- Use mulch around trees and plants to retain moisture
- When washing the car, use a hose and turn it off when applying soap
