Headlines about water shortages, drought and climate change seem to be everywhere you look these days – and for good reason.
Climate change is already causing more frequent and intense dry spells and heatwaves, exposing the vulnerable underbelly of current water management approaches.
Solving the global water crisis will be no easy feat, but there are small actions you can take at home – to do more, with less.
In the lead up COP26, here are H2O Global News’ top 5 ways you can save water at home.
Capture rainwater
So much rainwater runs off our roofs, down the drain and back out to sea.
But did you know that capturing it for reuse is incredibly easy?
It’s as simple as placing a barrel or storage tank under your gutter outflow. If you want to take it to the next level you can connect this tank to your sprinkler system or send it back to your bathroom to flush the toilets.
If you live somewhere where rain is infrequent, you can also easily capture greywater from your shower or sink in a bucket and use this to water your plants if the water is not too contaminated.
Plant a water-wise garden
In most households, a big proportion of water is used to irrigate the garden. However, especially if you live in a dry region, your garden may be using more water than necessary.
Instead, you can plant flora that are adapted to arid conditions. Just look at these awesome water-wise garden designs for inspiration.
If you do water your lawn, only water when it needs it and only do so in the cooler parts of the day.
Water-saving shower heads
The average shower in the UK last 8 minutes and uses an estimated 60 litres of water.
Water-saving shower heads work by restricting the volume of water that they allow to flow through them. Newer models can reduce the volume of water used by half, but still provide an enjoyable showering experience.
Drink tap not bottled
Plastic bottles take about three times as much water to produce than they can actually hold!
By drinking tap water we not only reduce this water usage in manufacturing but also contribute to less carbon emissions.
Mindfulness
By far the most powerful personal action you can take to save water is to always be mindful of its value. When you open the tap, think about the life-giving value of that water and how lucky you are to have a safe, clean supply.
If you are mindful, next time you brush your teeth you will think twice about leaving the tap running and wasting that precious water.
We can all do our bit to save water, one step at a time.
