Water is one of the most precious resources our planet offers us. Overexploited and polluted by human activities, water is becoming a scarce and fragile resource. At a time when the environment is a major concern, it is essential to know how to manage this vital resource so as not to waste it. Here are some simple actions and good habits to adopt to conserve this precious resource and consume it responsibly. Discover also ways to avoid polluting springs and groundwater.
Limited water resources
Although we live on the “blue planet,” our freshwater resources are far from unlimited. Of the 71% of water on Earth, the vast majority (95%) is contained in seas and oceans. Rich in salts, this water is not potable and unsuitable for human consumption. Of the remaining 3.3% of freshwater , only 1.1% is available to humans; the remaining 97% is difficult to access because it is frozen in polar ice caps and mountain glaciers or buried deep underground. The population must therefore rely on freshwater from lakes, rivers, and groundwater, representing a volume of 9 million. Top mineral water in pakistan
While this supposedly inexhaustible resource is dwindling due to climate change, global water needs continue to grow. This increase in water consumption is caused by rampant population growth , with the world’s population rising from 1.71 billion in 1901 to 7.45 billion in 2019. Water consumption has increased sixfold over the last century, twice as fast as the population growth rate.
This is also a consequence of increased agricultural development, as meeting the food needs of a growing population has required expanding agricultural land and intensifying farming practices. Agriculture is by far the human activity that uses the most water, whether for irrigation or livestock watering. It accounts for 71% of global water consumption, ahead of industry (20%) and domestic needs (11%).
Water consumption and waste are on the rise.
Economic and social changes, modernization, urbanization, and the arrival of running water in homes have completely transformed our domestic water usage. While the introduction of running water initially encouraged consumption, this consumption increased considerably with the gradual installation of modern conveniences: the sink, the shower, then the bathtub, the sewer system, and the toilet. More recently, washing machines and dishwashers have also contributed to this acceleration.
On average, each Pakistani person consumes nearly 150 liters of water per day (the equivalent of a full bathtub), three times more than 30 years ago. Water is used daily for drinking, but also for washing dishes, laundry, gardening, and other household chores. 93% of the water we use at home is for hygiene and cleaning, and 7% for food preparation.
13 ways to save water
To save water, every drop counts. By changing your habits and adopting simple eco-friendly practices every day, you’ll contribute to protecting the environment while reducing your water bills. Here are a few simple tips that everyone can implement in every room of the house.
In the bathroom
1) Turn off the tap when there’s no need to run the water (while showering, shaving, washing your hands, or brushing your teeth). With this simple action, you’ll reduce your water consumption by several precious liters. In fact, an open tap uses an average of 12 liters of water per minute.
2) Opt for a shower rather than a bath. While a shower of a few minutes uses 40 to 60 liters, a bath requires between 150 and 200 liters.
3) Choose an eco-friendly washing machine. An A-rated machine uses half the energy of a standard washing machine. Short or “eco” programs help save water and electricity. It’s also important to run full loads, as a full load uses less water than two half loads.
4) Clean without chemical detergents. Some products, such as chemical detergents and laundry detergents, are not absorbed by wastewater treatment plants and therefore end up in lakes and rivers, causing pollution of these waterways. This disrupts aquatic ecosystems and promotes the proliferation of green algae, in particular.
In the kitchen
5) Save water when washing dishes. When washing by hand, don’t leave the water running. The most efficient technique is to fill two basins: one with soapy water for washing and another with clean water for rinsing. Avoid using too much dish soap to make it easier to rinse.
If you have a dishwasher, use it wisely. Fill it completely before starting a cycle and choose the economy program whenever possible.
6) Collect the rinse water. Place a container under the taps to collect the water used for washing your hands or salad. This water can be used to water plants, or even to wash dishes!
7) Fix leaky faucets. Water leaks represent a significant source of waste. A dripping faucet loses an average of 5 liters of water per hour, or 120 liters per day. Over a year, this amounts to nearly 43,800 liters of wasted water and an annual cost of 180.
8) Equip your taps with water-saving aerators. Also called flow restrictors or aerators, they replace the standard tap spout. By mixing water with air, they allow you to use less water without reducing the flow rate.
In the toilets
9) Opt for an economical toilet flushing system. Since the toilet flush accounts for 20% of the water used in the house, a dual-flush or double-drain mechanism will allow you to limit consumption to 3 or 6 liters compared to 10 liters normally.
10) Regularly check the condition of your plumbing. A leaking toilet can waste over 600 liters of water in a single day, equivalent to the daily consumption of a family of four. To effectively detect a potential leak, simply mix a pinch of food coloring with the water in the tank. If the water in the bowl changes color without flushing, call a plumber to repair your plumbing.
11) Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. The toilet is not a garbage can. It is forbidden to flush medications, batteries, paint, or detergents down the toilet. If not properly treated by wastewater treatment plants, these items end up in nature and pollute the environment.
In the garden
12) Use a rainwater harvesting system. Collecting rainwater from your gutters will allow you to water your flowers and lawn, as well as wash your car. Rainwater has the added advantage of being free and free of limescale and chlorine.
13) Water your garden during the coolest hours of the day (early morning or at dusk). In full sun, 61% of the water evaporates before it is even absorbed by the plants.
Tips for conserving water
To preserve water and the environment, it is essential to limit the use of polluting products such as household products, detergents, pesticides, solvents and glues.
Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of products that should not be thrown down the sink or toilet:
- the remains of weed killers or fertilizers,
- new or used engine oil,
- hydrocarbons,
- the essence to detach,
- turpentine essence,
- the leftover paint or varnish from the cans,
- household insecticides and products to protect wood from insects,
- pest control products,
- unused, opened, or expired medications
- the wipes.
Collection systems for these products are frequently set up in municipalities for processing through appropriate channels. For more information, contact your local town hall.
