Save water at home
To save water is important not only for our wallets, but for a more sustainable consumption of the planet's resources.
Saving water at home is important not only for our wallets, but for a more sustainable consumption of the planet's resources. To make us more aware of the importance of having access to such a basic service as drinking water, it is important to know that 783 million people still do not have such access.
How can you calculate the saving in euros?
To calculate how many euros you can save each month, given that 1m3 = 1000 litres and taking a price per m3 of, for example, €1.26, the price per litre would be:
1.26 / 1000= €/l (euros per litre)
Thus you will see that the 3,500 litres saved by taking quick showers represents a saving of more than €4 a month!
Domestic consumption in Spain stands at about 126 litres of water per inhabitant/day. We are going to see how to reduce this by changing certain habits and some gadgets.
Tips to save water
Some of the tips to save water are simple, but they are not used in many homes:
- Close the taps whenever not in use, even if the amount of time seems short to you: while you lather your hair, brush your teeth, clean kitchen utensils, while shaving, etc.
- Take a shower instead of a bath, a shower uses 50% less. Taking only 5 min showers saves around 3,500 litres a month.
- Collect the water that runs while you wait for it come out hot, and re-use it (watering plants, cleaning the floor, etc).
- Place 2 full bottles in the cistern and you will save between 2 and 4 litres each time you flush the toilet, and don't use it as a waste-paper bin!
- Use electric domestic appliances efficiently: start the washing machine, dishwasher etc, only when completely full.
Otherwise, use the half-load or short-cycle options. Better the dishwasher than washing up by hand! Using the dishwasher when it is fully loaded can save you between 2,500 and 2,800 litres a month.
- If you have a garden, native plants are better to avoid excessive watering. Also, collect rainwater. Water your plants early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid water evaporating before it sinks in. Do not clean the floor with a hose. Use a broom.
- Fix any water leaks immediately: a dripping tap may use 40 litres of water a day.
Gadgets to save water
- On taps and shower heads: use regulators and aerators that reduce water flow.
- Cistern: install a cistern that allows you to measure the amount of water flushed. Another option is to put two full 0.5 litre bottles in the cistern to save on each flush, or use a cistern volume reducer.
- Consumption calculators: calculate the water you consume. Waterpebble gives you "traffic light" warnings when you when you use too much water.
Following these simple tips, you will save up to 30% on your monthly bill!
