Hints and Tips for Saving Water

Mist over Mahon Estuary Menorca. Water surrounds us but we all need fresh, clean drinking water

Heatwaves Can Cause Water Shortages

The current dry spell in the United Kingdom has acted as a reminder that one of our most precious commodities, water, does not have an endless supply.

The month of June was exceptionally hot and dry and July has kicked off with days if not weeks of a mini-heatwave set to continue.

Fresh, clean drinking water is often taken for granted in western countries which can lead to careless use.

But you can make lots of little changes that will have little impact on your life but will ensure there is enough water for us all.

Don’t Be Selfish

Perhaps this is the most important point to make.

If you are selfish you may continue to over water your garden in spite of water shortage warnings, wash the car, leave taps or faucets running unnecessarily and throw water down the drain when it could be used elsewhere.

Becoming a savvy water user is not that difficult, it helps your community as well as your family, it can reduce your water costs and help prevent drought situations.

Water Meters

Consider having a water meter fitted.

In the United Kingdom residents pay an annual water tax, which has increased steadily since privatisation of our water supply and services.

However you can opt to have a water meter instead.

Most if not all new properties have water meters fitted but if you live in an old property you can usually get a meter fitted if you prefer that option.

Meters are free so it is worth checking this option out.

If you live in a property unsuitable for a meter you can get a water rate reduction.

But the great thing about having a water meter is if you economize on water you will directly save money.

Harvest Rainwater

It makes sense to harvest rainwater when it is in rich supply.

England remains a fairly wet country but demands on its water supply and mismanagement means we are never far away from a drought.

Make a Water Butt
You will need

• Purpose made water butt
• Alternatively use a suitable container as a rainwater butt
• Tubing
• Connecting hoses
• Overflow pipe
• Mesh guard or lid

Installing a water butt
Consider:

• Location. Ideally the water butt should be sited where the most rainfall can be collected
• The obvious place is near the downspout or fall-pipe that runs from the gutters of your home
• What you will use the water for. If it is for watering a vegetable patch or rose garden it would be useful to install the butt within easy reach
• Attaching an appropriate tubing system to the water butt will make tap watering your garden easy. Making holes in the tubing where water is to be used maximizes impact

General advice

• Ensure the overflow pipe will let water escape well away from your home
• Inspect the rain water butt and any tubing system regularly
• Clear away any debris from the mesh guard or water outlets on a regular basis
• Multiple water butts connected together will fully utilize rainfall
• Ensure any tube or pipe connections are secure

Create your water butt

• If you are installing the butt on earth dig out an appropriate sized area, around four inches deep, and cover with small-sized gravel. You may be able to utilize existing garden gravel
• Lay concrete slabs on top of the gravel to add some height. If you prefer you can build a wooden stand to hold the water butt but remember wood can rot and will not last forever. You can also simply utilize any old bricks that you have to use as a stand but you must ensure that the support is stable and safe
• The water butt needs to be sited on a stand in order to increase water pressure. If you are going to pump water from the water butt this is essential. If you think that you will want to simply access water from the butt at the top this will not be so important
• Position the water butt or butts and if desired connect the butts together with hose or pipe
  
• Make sure that any water butts have an overflow pipe fitted so that excess water will drain away from your home
  
• Fit a connector to your existing fall pipes so that rainwater is diverted to the water butt
• The top of your rainwater butt will need to be covered, perhaps with mesh, so that leaves and other debris do not fall in.
• A tap positioned toward the bottom of the water butt will make it easy to distribute and access water. Place this tap at an appropriate height so you do not have to bend too far and risk hurting your back

Hints And Tips To Save Water

Some of this information has stayed with me since public information films about saving water in the 1970s. Extended periods of hot dry weather back then resulted in water shortages.
Perhaps governments should consider using such public information films again.
We can all save some water with thoughtful use of this resource such as:

• Take showers instead of baths
• Place a water saving device in the cistern of your toilet; a small brick in the cistern will decrease the amount of water used for each flush. You can buy an appropriate water saving device if you prefer
• Always turn the tap or faucet off when you are cleaning your teeth and bathing
• Turn the water in the shower off whilst you lather your hair with shampoo and soap your body. Turn the water back on to rinse rather than leaving it to flow and you will save a great deal of water
• Make sure any dripping faucets or taps are fixed as soon as possible
• Use the plug in the basin
• Invest in one of the latest condensing boiler systems as these will save you money, energy and water in the long run. Water will be instantly warm and not need to be run for a while to warm up
• If you have to run the shower water whilst it heats up catch this water in a bucket or bowl as it can be saved and used to flush down the toilet or water the garden
• Install the latest water efficient toilets and showers
• Do not use water to clean your windows instead use a proprietary cleaner.
• Do not clean the car, or any other vehicles, more often than is necessary.
• Put your car in the garage at night and when not in use as it will keep cleaner this way
• Design your garden in a water friendly way. Not all plants, trees and shrubs require bucket loads of water. Some only need a sprinkling in the hottest summer weather
• Grow plants that survive well in the shade
• Buy a greenhouse or lean to, however small it may be, for growing any produce. The steamy atmosphere of a well-managed greenhouse can minimize watering
• Even dirty water may be suitable for watering your garden; not filthy, foul smelling water but simply water from your washing or pots
• If you change the filter in your water jug use any discarded water to water plants in your garden or home
• Never use a hosepipe or sprinkler to clean paths or water gardens. A bucket and a watering can are water friendly options
• Consider replacing your lawn with gravel as it will be low maintenance and never need watering
• Alternatively look at replacing the grass with an artificial lawn. The initial outlay may not be cheap but an artificial lawn has longevity, looks good and is almost maintenance free
• If you have to water plants in the garden make sure you do so at the coolest times of the day. Preferably early in the morning and late at night. Water will be fully utilized this way
• Next time you need to replace any of your white goods ensure the replacement is the most energy and water efficient model available
• Never run your washing machine or dishwasher without a full load
• If you just have a few pots and plates to wash try using the traditional method and hand wash your pots
• If you do hand wash your dishes make sure that you always use a bowl to minimize water waste
• If you have one of those kitchen sinks with two bowls try using one for washing dishes and the other for rinsing
• Check the manufacturer's instructions for your dishwasher and washing machine so that you are familiar with the equipment’s economy settings. These will help you to save water, energy and money
• If you run your tap or faucet a little before filling a glass with drinking water make sure that a bowl is catching the running water. This can be collected and used to swill paths and water plants
• Old freezers and refrigerators can waste water. Upgrade to a more energy and water efficient model as soon as possible
• Use the water drained from cooking vegetables to make a stock or gravy
• If you have a pet dog or cat when their water needs changing use the discarded water for something such as watering plants

Latest Tip

Add soda crystals to a large watering can or bucket full of water. Sprinkle this mixture on any paths that have ingrained stains or need cleaning.

Leave the mixture; do not rinse away.

When rain does arrive it will wash away any residue.

This simple tip ensures brilliantly clean paths without the use of water conservation busting pressure washers.

Final Thoughts

Use your imagination but never compromise you or any other persons health and safety.

Use your water saving ideas outside of the home in your work place or school. Talk to your political representatives about local water improvements and green projects.

Once you decide to become water savvy you will be surprised how much water you can save.
You may also be shocked to realize how much water you have been carelessly wasting for far too long.

More water and summer reading

1. How to conserve water in the home
2. How to make a water butt
3. Shocking truth about open water deaths
4. How to stay safe in Summer heat and sun 
5. Harvesting rainwater