 |
 |
|||
You would think that saving water would be the last thing we need to do in our rainy little country; however we don’t have quite as much water as you may think.
Dryer winters have had the biggest impact on water resources. Winter rain tops up groundwater supplies and summer rain only helps reduce our water consumption. Water shortages don’t just affect us: they also harm our environment.
Our water comes from rivers and groundwater so every drop we use has a direct effect on the environment. Fish, wetland birds and other wildlife that rely on ponds, rivers and streams struggle to survive when these dry up or run low. Sources of food and breeding sites for wildlife can be lost and fish can die through lack of oxygen.
The average person in England and Wales uses 150 litres of water every day. Most of it is used for washing and toilet flushing, but it also includes drinking, cooking, car washing and watering the garden. We use almost 50% more water than 25 years ago, partly because of the use of power showers and other water using household appliances.
It’s vital that everyone uses water wisely and not just during a drought or if we live in an area with water restrictions. We must use water efficiently to make sure that we have enough water and at the same time protect our valuable natural environment, now and for future generations. We should all use water wisely every day.
How to save water > Tips for saving water
• Vegetables and fruit should be washed in a bowl rather than under a running tap and the leftover water can be used for watering house plants.
• Use the minimum amount of water required when you boil water in saucepans and kettles; that way, you’ll save energy as well as water.
• Try keeping a bottle or jug of water in the fridge instead of running taps until the water runs cold.
• Half-load programme's on dishwashers and washing machines use more than half the water and energy of a full load. Therefore, wait until you have a full load before switching the machine on.
• Try not to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth, shave or wash your hands, as this can waste up to 5 litres of water per minute.
• A 5-minute shower uses about a third of the water of a bath. But remember that power showers can use more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes. Shower timers can be a great addition for everyone but especially for where bathroom time is a premium and costs can quickly spiral.
• Old toilet cisterns can use as much as 9 litres of clean water every flush. Reduce this by placing a water saving device such as a ‘save-a-flush’ or ‘hippo’ in the cistern, Water saving devices like these are efficient ways to save water.
• Cotton wool and tissues should be put in a waste bin rather than flushed down the toilet.
• Dripping taps can waste up to 4 litres of water a day. Replace worn tap washers for a quick and cheap way of saving water.
• Burst water pipes can cause serious damage as well as waste water. Ensure your water pipes and external taps are lagged in time for the cold winter months.
• Water your garden in the cool of the early morning or evening. This will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation
• If you water plants and shrubs too often their roots will remain shallow, weakening the plant. Leave them alone until they show signs of wilting.
• Collect rainwater in water-butts and use a watering can instead of a hose. If you prefer to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.
• Regularly weed and hoe your garden, to ensure that watering helps plants and not weeds.
• Plant flowers and shrubs that thrive in hot and dry conditions such as thyme, evening primrose, rock rose, Californian poppy, pinks, lavender, buddleia and hebes.
• Mulches such as wood chips, bark and gravel help to prevent water evaporation and also suppress weed growth, saving you both water and time spent weeding.
• Lawns can survive long periods of dry weather if the grass is not cut too short. Even if the grass turns brown, it will quickly recover after a few days of rain.
• Garden sprinklers can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in a day. If you use a sprinkler, many water companies require you to have a water meter fitted.
In short our water demands will start to outweigh our water supply if we all don’t start to use it carefully. Think before you waste it.
