How to save water at home?

Although water makes up a substantial part of the globe, only its small percentage constitutes portable water. Water is a treasure that everyone should care about. To take more care of the environment and the water resources, all we need to do is make a few changes at home. So, what are they?

Water resources are not evenly distributed around the world, with 14.5% of the world’s population suffering from a lack of water. And while it would seem that having water in the tap is something granted, actually that’s not the case, and we should respect it more. What can you do to effectively save water in your home then?

Since the water system is installed in the kitchen and the bathroom, these are the places we should take a closer look at. It’s worth starting with small steps and changing daily habits, with no need to interfere with the decor and equipment at home.

Water conservation can start by turning the water flow off while brushing the teeth. There are still households where the tap is left on during this daily activity. Vegetables and fruits should be washed in a pot or a dish. Washing under running water means a lot of water waste, which can be easily avoided. Another way is to reuse the same water, but how can we do that? For example, if we use a tumble dryer at home, the water that remains can be used to water the flowers, and the water from the bathtub might serve to flush the toilet.

We should also look into leaky faucets and pipes. Although it doesn't look like it, a lot of water leaks out this way. It may seem that individual drops falling into the sink are not very important, but if we place a bowl under the tap, we would understand how much water accumulates there. Another good idea that addresses the water consumption issue is switching the washing machine and dishwasher on only once they are full. There are households where these appliances are started when almost empty, but instead, we could consider waiting until more laundry are dishes are collected. Moreover, in the case of washing machines, the Eco program should be run whenever possible - this is beneficial both for your wallet and nature.

Saving water means replacing some appliances as well

The suggestions mentioned above are effective ways to save water, but we can go a step further and replace the household appliances. So if a renovation is coming up, it is worth considering such solutions that will help reduce water consumption as much as possible.

We should find some space for a dishwasher in the kitchen if we do not have one yet. It is estimated that a dishwasher uses up to 4 times less water compared to washing dishes by hand. Both in the kitchen and in the bathroom, the mixer faucet should be a single lever and equipped with an aerator. It is a special cap that resembles a strainer, which can make the water consumption drop by up to 50%.

When renovating a bathroom, in the first place we could replace the bathtub with a shower. Installing a shower enclosure is the quickest way to notice changes in water usage. Bathing in a tub topped up with water means that even 170 liters of water might be used while taking a shower consumes only a few dozen liters at most. The difference is therefore considerable, and if we calculate the frequency of bathing and the number of household members, it’s just immense. What is more, the shower takes up less space, and if you choose a model from a good manufacturer, it will also become an interior decoration. The information on how to choose a good shower enclosure can be found in articles on SanSwiss website.

Ways to save water in the garden

A separate issue is a garden and the green area around the property. Gardens of various sizes surround single-family houses, and the developers often offer apartments with access to a small garden. Thus, it is worth knowing what practices can save water in the garden. Instead of using a garden hose regularly, we can use what nature gave us - the rainwater. Rainwater tanks are widely available and the water obtained in this way can be used for example to water the grass and flower beds. Some households also decide to build a septic drain field. Depending on the technology chosen, the cost of this investment varies from a few to several thousand, but it will pay for itself after just a few years.

Why save water?

A greater focus on pro-ecological actions is not just a temporary trend, it is a need. It is meant to lead to healthy ecosystems all around the globe. When taking actions against water waste the priority is the environmental consideration. Saving water in households decreases the water demand, and at the same time increases the lifespan of lakes and rivers, which get less exploited.

Let’s also point out something that not everyone is aware of. By lowering the pressure in our water installations, saving water will translate into lower maintenance costs of the drainage and sewerage systems. By following the above-mentioned advice, the household members will feel like they take care of the planet. Also, let’s not forget about our bills. The more we are involved in water conservation, the lower our bills get and the more money stays in the wallet.See all blog posts