Water—it’s one of our most valuable natural resources, accounting for a large portion of the planet’s surface and atmosphere. Unfortunately, due to pollution and a less-than-ideal ecosystem, access to pure water is becoming increasingly difficult.
By Henry Carmen, on behalf of The Water Tank Factory
With that said, here are some pointers for conserving and utilizing water effectively at home:
- Make Water Conservation A Family Affair
Just like in preserving the environment, if everyone pitches in and starts making small changes, those can add up to big savings. Encourage your kids to take shorter showers and only run the dishwasher when it’s full. If you have a pool or hot tub outside, try not to leave it running.
- Collect Rainwater And Use Greywater
If you don’t want to spend money on buying bottled water every day, then consider getting a rainwater collection system. You can use these systems to collect fresh water, which you can store in a tank until it’s needed. And with a proper filter, you can have drinking water as well. This is an easy way to cut down on the number of plastic bottles or municipal water you use and also has the added benefit of allowing you to become self-reliant when it comes to sourcing clean water.
You can also use your water tank to save greywater, or used water, and give it a different purpose elsewhere in your home, such as flushing the toilet or watering plants and vegetables.
For high-quality water storage tanks, follow this link. When buying, remember that your tank is likely going to be exposed to weather elements every day, so make sure the type of material used for it can withstand that kind of exposure consistently.
- Check Your Toilets For Leaks
One of the biggest wastes of water comes from old, leaky toilets. This is an easy one to fix with a quick check of the toilet bowls and supply lines. Have them replaced as needed by calling professionals in your area.
- Join A Community Water Project
Another way of tackling global freshwater issues is by joining a community water project. Such projects provide people with access to fresh drinking water. Not only do they help those living in poverty, but they also lessen the dependency of those who constantly have to look for clean water.
It may be a bit difficult to find out whether your town has groups tackling that particular initiative as they might not be as well known as larger organizations such as Save the Children or Red Cross. However, if you do an online search, you’ll likely find information on how to participate in one near you.
- Plant A Garden And Protect Your Local Water Supply
Almost everyone’s aware that global warming and climate change are huge problems, so why not try tackling both? Global warming causes droughts across the world, and climate change isn’t helping. However, you can help protect your local water supply by planting a garden.
Plants play an important role in the ecosystem because they absorb carbon dioxide to make oxygen for us to breathe. When you plant a garden that uses water-saving plants such as lavender, you also save the freshwater supplies where you live.
- Do Not Overwater Your Garden And Lawn
Most people water their gardens when the plants there start to wilt, but by doing that, they’re wasting important resources that could be used elsewhere. Instead, consider installing a smart irrigation system that’ll allow your plants to receive exactly what they need without wasting valuable freshwater.
You probably already know that you shouldn’t be watering your lawn that often. To save even more water, try watering the grass in the early morning or evening instead of the middle of the day when it’ll evaporate quickly due to the heat of the sun. Also, try doing it a little bit at a time so the water soaks in instead of running off the top of your lawn.
- Turn Off The Tap While You Brush Your Teeth
There are many minute things you do in your daily life that can contribute to freshwater shortages across the world. One of them is leaving the tap running while you brush your teeth. Instead of doing that, turn off the faucet and use a drinking glass to collect only the amount of water you need to rinse your mouth and wash your toothbrush afterward.
Other things on a smaller scale that you can do include:
- Taking shorter showers
- Fixing leaks in your toilet cistern
- Installing a dual flush system
- Install A Composting Toilet
If you have an outdoor space such as a garden or yard, then consider installing a composting toilet. These toilets separate liquids from solid waste so the latter can be used as fertilizer for plants rather than being disposed of in landfills where it’ll release harmful greenhouse gases.
If you want to find out more about this option, there are many online resources that can help you determine whether a composting toilet is a right choice for your home.
Conclusion
Water scarcity is an issue that affects everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or economic status. That’s why it’s a must for you to do your part in helping address the problem, and you can start by following the tips above. Over time, your efforts will make a big impact on the availability of clean water for all.
About the Author
Henry Carmen
Henry Carmen is an environmental expert and consultant who worked for a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) before launching his own firm that focuses on water supply solutions for underserved communities. In his free time, he enjoys creating his own recipes.