Saving water at home

There are many ways to save water at home. It's better to reduce the amount of water used than to try to improve the efficiency!

WHY SHOULD WE SAVE WATER? [1] [2]

Water rich areas like England will face water shortages within 25 years if a business as usual attitude is taken. Water shortages will have severe knock on effects in all facets in life. We're already seeing political conflict between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the GERD project.

When less water is used greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the treatment and distribution of potable water will be minimised in turn helping in the fight against climate change.

“Water shortages will have severe knock on effects in all facets in life.”

Often times desalination technology is pointed towards as the great savior of humanity's

dwindling potable water supply however, desalination plants are very expensive in comparison to current potable water sources (natural sources) and so the cost of living would increase in regions reliant on this technology. Developing nations are often disproportionately affected by environmental issues making them likely to need to employ such technology however they may not be able to afford the desalination plants.

WATER SAVING TIPS [4] [5] [6]

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth to save 30 litres per day (if you brush your teeth twice a day!)

• Install a water meter to have a clear financial incentive to consciously reduce water use

• When using washing machines and dishwashers, ensure that they’re fully loaded to reduce the water use per item.

• Use an alarm to help you take shorter showers

• Install a Low Flow Faucet Aerator to a pre-existing faucet to passively reduce water usage by up to 77% (they can be as cheap as £2.50!)

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REFERENCES:

[1] Environment Agency, 2018. The State Of The Environment: Water Resources. State of the environment. [online] Environment Agency. Available at: <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/709924/State_of_the_environment_water_resources_report.pdf>.

[2] Eartheasy Guides & Articles. 2020. 45+ Ways To Conserve Water In The Home And Yard. [online] Available at: <https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/45-ways-to-conserve-water-in-the-home-and-yard/>.

[3] Thinkh2onow.com. 2020. Water Conservation Facts & Water Consumption Facts | Think H2O. [online] Available at: https://www.thinkh2onow.com/water_conservation_facts.php.

[4] Friends of the Earth. 2020. 13 Best Ways To Save Water Stop Climate Breakdown | Friends Of The Earth. [online] Available at: <https://friendsoftheearth.uk/natural-resources/13-best-ways-save-water-stop-climate-breakdown>

[5] Eden Project. 2020. Water Saving Tips. [online] Available at: <https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/water-saving-tips>

[6] Eartheasy Guides & Articles. 2020. 45+ Ways To Conserve Water In The Home And Yard. [online] Available at: <https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/45-ways-to-conserve-water-in-the-home-and-yard/>