Water as a resource - why and how to save it?
Water is our most necessary element, both for us humans and for the animal and plant world. 97.5% of the world's water is concentrated in the seas and oceans, but it is not suitable for drinking purposes. And most of the remaining 2.5% is in the glaciers. This means that actually a basic natural resource for human life is extremely limited. Unfortunately, however, we do not use it only for drinking purposes, we bathe, clean, use it in production. All of this is seriously reducing global supplies, especially in recent years with increasingly long periods of drought in certain areas.
What can we do? Conserving this vital resource includes taking measures to prevent pollution of the world's oceans (more on that here), as well as improving water management, both by businesses and individual households. Only in this way will it be possible to limit its wastage today and ensure sufficient reserves in the future.
Why is it important to learn to save?
There are several main reasons why we need to take timely action. Without our intervention, things can become irreversible, so pay special attention to the following lines.
It is not an inexhaustible resource
As mentioned, the water necessary for our existence has the potential to "run out". Every day we reduce the already limited amount of 0.03% potable available. That's because we need it in almost every day-to-day activity—cooking, washing, cleaning, and all the habits that help keep us healthy. But in order to continue doing all this, we must learn to conserve it.
It sustains our ecosystem
Humans are not the only species on Earth that needs water to survive (why we need it so much, remind yourself here). In fact, every living organism on this planet needs. Plants and animals require it to grow and develop, and they are not only needed to provide us with food, but also to keep the entire ecosystem in balance. More and more areas suffer from drought and may gradually become depopulated and, in a word, useless.
If we save water, we save energy and money
The operation of hydroelectric plants actually requires a large amount of energy. Almost 7% of the consumed energy goes to the distribution of water among the population. Let's not forget that if we save it, it can also have a beneficial effect on our bills, especially in view of the latest price increase. Just by following a few tips, you will be able to save a few cubic meters of it and hundreds of BGN per year. If you want to know about them, keep reading.
How to save at home?
Anyone can start saving it by making a few smart choices in their household. Some of them can reduce the use of this resource by more than half. Here's how to take the first steps toward conserving water resources and protecting our planet:
Close the faucet
Put an end to uncontrolled and mindless consumption. If you turn off the water tap while brushing your teeth, you will save 6 liters of water per minute. The same applies to other activities such as shaving at the gentlemen. If you take it upon yourself to fix the dripping taps, you will be able to save 60 liters every week.
Shorter showers
Every minute you spend in the shower, you use up to 17 liters of water. If you forget yourself while you're in the shower, set a timer on your phone so you don't overdo the time you spend in the bathroom. You can also take a bath more often if you have one. It is good to think about "saving" shower-heads, which can reduce its consumption by up to 3 liters per minute and at the same time will not disturb your enjoyment of the sweet shower.
Use water-intensive household appliances wisely
Here we are mainly referring to the first friends of the ladies - the washing machine and the dishwasher. On average, a household runs about 300 washing machines every year. They actually account for more than 20% of residential consumption. Therefore, only run a full washing machine. This way you will use less water and energy compared to 2 half-full washing machines. As a general rule, front-loading machines use less water than top-loading machines. If you have a dishwasher, follow the same rules.
Maintain the plumbing
Regularly check all faucets and pipes for leaks, as they are capable of "wasting" water 24/7, every day of the week. It is good to know where the main water tap is in the home so that you can quickly turn it off if there is a problem and contain the leak and prevent possible flooding.
Be careful with watering the plants
Water outdoor plants early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid water evaporation from the stronger sunlight and heat of the middle of the day. Also, do not overdo it, but resort to watering only when necessary. It's best for plants too. You can also reduce its use by 33% by watering plants manually instead of using automatic sprinklers. If possible, collect rainwater, it is more beneficial to the plants and thus in another way you will help conserve water resources.
Saving water takes a little effort, but every bit is worth it. Don't think your actions don't matter. Anyone who is willing can make lifestyle changes to reduce water consumption. The important thing is that each change becomes a sustainable habit, and not remain a momentary phenomenon. Together we can do more!
(Src. Forlife.bg)
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