Due to Global Warming, an increase in population and a seismic shift in climate change, water is becoming our most precious resource. Scientists predict the challenges we would face in the coming decades would focus on how to eliminate or reduce the scarcity of water availability to the world’s population. Our economies are completely dependent on this precious resource, from its many uses in the agricultural sector to the industrial uses of water. Therefore, conserving water use at home would be a good start, and is becoming quite necessary.
The following steps would be focusing on the basic methods used for the conservation of water which can be followed and used in every household:
Step 1: Conservation of water through repair and maintenance:
Firstly, the foremost thing a person must do is check their household plumbing for leaky faucets and toilets. Have those leaks repaired or fix them by yourself.
Step 2: Conservation of water with new toilets:
Secondly, replacing old toilet models with newer models tend to conserve water. The reason for this is that older models, i.e. pre-1990’s, tend to be less efficient, wasting up to, or even more than, three gallons of water per flush cycle according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). However, if changing the toilets is not feasible, then in the short run filling plastic containers like soda bottles with pebbles/water and placing them on the tanks of the toilets would certainly do the trick. These soda bottles will displace water in the tank such that less water is wasted when the toilet is flushed.
Step 3: Installing low-flow showerheads for conserving water:
Another method that can be used for the conservation of water is to install Low-Flow showerheads which can be used to reduce the flow of water per minute. With the installation of aerators in all your faucets, less water is wasted while showering. This is because aerators reduce water supply by breaking the flow of water into droplets and draws air along after itself. They give the same showering experience with the added advantage of conserving water in the process. Due to the installation of aerators you are able to conserve water and reduce the consumption of this precious resource by your faucets up to 60%.
Step 4: Re-using Grey water:
Grey water can also be a useful aspect for conserving water in your household. Grey water refers to the wash water from kitchen sinks, tubs, washing machines and even laundry tubs or sinks. It can be used for such purposes as home gardening, maintaining your lawn, landscaping and many other things. However, this water cannot be used for drinking purposes unless properly recycled.
These are just a few among the many water conservation methods which would ensure the availability of this precious resource for our future generations.