With water being a vital and precious resource, it is more imporatant than ever to have specific measures in place to conserve water and to minimise water wastage while recycling as much as possible. The good news is that water conservation in the home can be easy, simple, and save you money!
Although the UK is an island, there is less water available per person in the UK than in France, Italy or Greece. Water used in homes comes from rivers, lakes and wetlands. Lower natural water levels can threaten the wildlife that depends on these places for their survival. Treating, transporting and heating domestic water also uses a lot of energy, which adds to your fuel bills, and contributes to climate change.
Some simple and easy steps at home for conserving water
Fix leaking taps: A dripping tap can waste over 5,000 litres of water a year (http://www.energysavingtrust.com/) so make sure your taps are properly turned off and change washers promptly when taps start dripping. Water leaks mean you are paying for water you haven't used, and they can also cause a lot of damage to your property, and possibly to neighbouring properties. You can fix dripping taps or overflows with a new washer - it costs just a few pence and can be fitted within minutes. Installing a leak detector will warn you about any leaks in the proprty, and installing lagging on your outside pipes to help avoid burst pipes and leaks in winter.
Efficient appliance use: When using washing machines and dishwashers, always fill them to capacity before using, and use the most energy efficient settings they have. When you decide to replace your appliances, there are many appliances now on the market with the 'Energy Saving Recommended' logo on it - look for this label as the appliance will be more energy effiecient, and will ultimately lead to savings in energy use.
Showers not baths: Taking shorter showers can save a significant amount of water in the home - "One minute off your shower time, for a family of four would save 12,000 litres of water a year." (http://www.directgov.co.uk/) Taking showers rather than baths also saves a significant amount, up to £5 and £15 per year off your energy bill for a family of four, while also conserving valuable water for the home and the area.
Make use of greywater and rainwater: All water used in the home, other than water from the toilet, can be re-used as 'greywater'. Often a good way of using this greywater is in the garden, for watering non edible plants. Greywater can also be used to wash cars and water plants in the house.
Save water in the garden: Using greywater to water plants is a great way of saving water in your garden, but there are other easy steps that can be taken. Purchasing a water butt to collect rainwater is an excellent way of collecting rainwater that would otherwise drain away unused, and using a watering can rather than a garden hose saves a significant amount.
Be water conscious: Being conscious of water usage in itself will lead to conservation. Installing a water meter to help you monitor water used is a great way of keeping track of water usage.
Turn off the taps: And finally...a running tap wastes up to 6-9 litres of water a minute so turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face and use cold water where you don't need hot. Saving water in this way is often achieved throug htaking basic measures such as washing food and vegetables in a full bowl rather than under the tap, and saving any cold water before hto water starts for plant watering etc..
(Information sourced from Energy Saving Trust UK, DirectGov.co.uk and Responsibletravel.com)
