10 Ways to Save Water at Home & Outside

Our ongoing water shortage crisis has created awareness of just how precious water is and next week marks World Water Week as the global issue of water conservation takes centre stage.

From Sunday 26th to 31st August, leading water experts will congregate in Stockholm, Sweden to brainstorm and discuss solutions to the pressing water-related challenges that countries across the globe are experiencing.  

This year’s World Water Week will focus on the need to safeguard the sustainability of vital ecosystems as habitats for plant and animal life, and as resources for human development and well-being.

So now that we’re becoming more aware that we need to preserve water to safeguard our future and that of future generations, what can we each do to make a difference?

To mark World Water Week, we are encouraging people to share their own tips on the organisation’s Facebook and Instagram page throughout World Water Week. #lessismore #wateryoudoing

How to Save Water When On the Go:

Planning an upcoming day trip with your family? There are a number of ways you can save water while on the go.

Bring your own reusable water bottle

If you’re heading out for a day at the beach or a family hike to make the most of the remaining days of summer, remember it’s still warm and humid, so make sure to stay hydrated for long days out. Filling your water at home can help you save from buying water while out and about and you can request for them to be filled enroute in a cafe, hotel or restaurant.

 

Bring veggie snacks with the added bonus of being healthy on the go

 

Did you know that 70% of the world’s water resources today are needed for food production? Meat products use the most water with a 1Kg of beef needing around 13,500 litres of water to produce, chicken 3,700 litres, and pork 4,800 litres. On the other hand, non-meat snacks such as an apple only use 125 litres of water and a bag of crisps 185 litres. A burger may use 2,400 litres of water, but a cheese sandwich only uses 110 litres. So, your food choices on the go can also go towards saving water.

Use recycled water to wash your car

If you’re planning to clean your car before your day trip, wash it yourself using recycled water from your home.

Be a water hero

When you’re out and about and see a running tap in a bar or restaurant, why not turn it off? Be a water hero and pay it forward, water saving style.

How to Save water at Home or at Work

Use 1 less flush a day

The population of Ireland is approximately 4.7 million people. On average, we each flush the toilet up to eight times a day. Our toilet habits mean that between us all we flush on average 35 million litres per flush. That’s a lot of water.  It amounts to the equivalent of 11 to 17 Olympic swimming pools per flush. Top tip? Reduce the number of times you flush. Aim for 5 flushes a day.

Put a brick in it

 

Another loo water saving tip. Put a bottle in the toilet cistern. A full bottle of water or a brick in a toilet can save up to 1,800 litres of water a year in a household. If everyone in Ireland did just that 2.9 billion litres of water would be saved each year. That’s 1,145 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Check that tap

How often do you check leaking taps? Over time, it can lead to serious water waste and have longer-term have an impact on the well being of the local community and vital ecosystems.  What can you do? Introduce a tap audit and check your taps frequently. A leaky tap can drip up to 150 litres of water a week. Repairing a leaky tap can save a huge 4,500 litres of water a year.

Get a low-flow aerator

Install Water Saving Systems or reduced-flow heads on taps and showers. Low-flow tap aerators reduce the water pressure and save lots of water – don’t worry, you’ll still be able to wash. You will just be wasting less water and saving money. They’re easy to install and cost around €5.

Reduce the length of your shower to 4 minutes

On average a 10-minute power shower uses 250 litres of water;  by reducing to a 4-minute shower you can save approx of 150 litres or 75 two litre bottles of water. While in the shower, why not be savvy and save some water? A simple tip is to collect the water by using your basin sink. This could be used for gardening or for your hot water bottle for chillier days.

Install a rainwater harvesting system to collect water from drainpipes

 

Water butts are a great way to harvest water from your roof and garden. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, you could even make your own. Most will easily connect to an exterior drainpipe and will have a handy tap attached so you can water your garden with what it wants.

 

 

For more inspiration on how to save water and to share your own tips during World Water Week, log on to our Facebook page or @gapireland on Instagram #lessismore #wateryoudoing.