Hands up anyone who doesn't take water for granted? You turn on the tap and hey presto, there it is! But how many of you realise that increasing demands, national low water levels and pollutants are taking their toll on this most valuable of natural resources. So do your bit for tomorrow by conserving water in the home today (and save a few quid as well).
Fix That Leak
Keep an eye on hoses, tanks and taps. One small leak can waste more than 450 litres (100 gallons) of water a week. A tap dripping as the result of a worn washer is a waste of money and resources. They only cost pennies to replace.
Take A Shower
You'll probably know already, but by taking a shower instead of a bath you can use less than half the amount of water. But did you also know that high pressure showers will actually use more water.
Water Meters
Where the only check you have as to the amount of water you are using is the quarterly bill, it is easy to forget that you have to pay every time you turn on the tap or flush the toilet. With a water meter you can keep a close eye on your water costs and only pay for what you use. It's a fact that in the majority of cases where meters have been installed, water consumption has fallen significantly.
Water Efficient Appliances
Anyone having a water meter installed can further save on their fuel bills by replacing taps and showerheads with water-efficient alternatives.
Toilet Training
About one third of your average household water consumption is flushed away down the toilet (and in most cases this is good drinking water). There are a number of steps that you can take to reduce this amount.
By filling a 1 litre plastic bottle with water and immersing it in the cistern, away from the handle, you will save 1 litre of water with every flush. Similarly if you have the space in the cistern to fit two, 1 litre bottles, you will save 2 litres of water with every flush.
If you find that you are having to flush the toilet twice to clean it properly then use a smaller bottle.
Bag It & Bin It
Don't us the toilet as a wet dustbin for personal hygiene products. Flushing such products down the toilet can lead to sea pollution. It can also result in blockages in the sewage system which can lead to sewage spilling into rivers and streams harming wildlife.
Don't Go With The Flow
Don't leave taps running when washing or brushing your pearly whites. Try using a mug for rinsing.
Washing The Car
It's all very well having a nice clean car but do you realise that by using a hosepipe to wash away the grime you could be wasting about 15 litres of water A MINUTE! Natural resources straight down the drain. Try using a bucket instead.
Washing
Don't waste water by washing only half a load. If you can't fill the washer then make sure that you use the economy programme.
In The Garden
What have a family of four and a garden sprinkler got in common?
Well, a garden sprinkler can use the same amount of water in one hour that a family of four would take 2 days to use!
To save water in the garden follow these simple steps:
The longer grass is left the greener it stays and the less watering it needs. Set your mower to a higher cutting level.
By watering plants in the early morning or late evening the water does not have a chance to evaporate before soaking into the soil.
Increase soil water retention by adding organic matter. Why not invest in a compost bin?
Planting ground cover plants screen the soil from the sun and reduce evaporation.
Plant more water efficient plants. The likes of lavender, lilacs, wallflowers and buddleia need a lot less water than azalea, willow and elder. Ask at your local garden centre for advice.
Engine Oil
We've all seen the damage that can be caused to the environment and local wildlife by an oil spillage. Yet thousands of gallons of engine oil are illegally poured down drains every year. Why?
When it can be disposed of quite easily at your local garage or your local Council's Civic Amenity Site.
Chemicals & Paint
Garden chemicals and paint should never be disposed of down the drain. Take them to the Civic Amenity Site.
Household Cleaners
What sort of cleaning products do you use?
Are they harmful to the environment? Many of the cleaning products available today contain flammable, corrosive and toxic chemicals. If these are disposed of down the drain they are a hazard to fish and other wildlife. So what can you do?
Well firstly you can start paying more attention to the type of products you buy.
Try to use detergents which contains less amounts of chlorine and ammonia. Better still, try and use detergents which use nut, rape, linseed and coconuts as surface-active agents in place of the usual chemical products. Try to use bleach as little as possible.
REMEMBER : WATER = LIFE
DON'T BE A DRIP
A tap left dripping over night will waste enough water to fill a bath
PLEASE CONSERVE WATER
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