All through our primary-school years, our textbooks have told us to turn off the tap after we have used it. But how many of us still make sure we do it? A study by the European Environment Agency found that a dripping tap can waste as much as one litre of water every hour. Yet we remain oblivious to the crisis water scarcity can spark.
With summers fast approaching, many areas in the NCR may be bracing for many days of water shortage. Let's do our bit to ensure we save as much as we can.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
At home in general
- Make sure all taps in the house are closed properly.
- Control the flow of the tap; don't turn it to the full unless necessary.
- Check the plumbing for leaks, especially leaking toilets and faucets.
- Teach your kids about the importance of saving water.
In the bathroom
- Instal low-flow shower heads and faucets.
- Take shorter showers.
- Turn off the tap while brushing or shaving.
- Convert your toilet into a low-flush toilet or get a dual-flush toilet.
In the laundry and kitchen
- Wash full laundry or dish loads.
- When washing dishes, don't use more detergent than is necessary. It needs more water to wash it off.
- When washing clothes or dishes without a machine, try to use water sparingly.
- Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Plan ahead or use a microwave.
When gardening
- Use greywater from the bath, washing machines and dishwashers in the garden.
- Use mulch on your garden to retain moisture.
- You can cut down on watering plants if it is a cool, overcast day. You can give it a miss on the days it rains.
- If you can, drive your car on to a lawn to wash it.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Kuria)