On this Earth Day, reflecting upon ways to cut down water wastage at home. Read on…
Potable water is a rare resource. Judicious use of every drop of water at home is now a dire necessity. You may have noticed that every day huge amount of water wastage happens while cooking, cleaning, and washing. Therefore, we need to be extra careful while working in these two areas at home, kitchen and laundry.
Common Ways to Reduce Water Wastage in Kitchen and Laundry
Let’s see how to minimize misuse of water and maximize reuse of water.
Keep aside water after washing home-grown organic fruits and vegetables. Reuse it for watering houseplants. Similarly, do not throw away water after boiling pasta, rice, or vegetables. Pour it into garden soil provided it does not contain cooking salt.
Avoid defrosting frozen food using water. To bring frozen food back to safe temperature we often place food under running water. Or, put sealed packet of food in a bowl of cold water and change the water multiple times. In both these methods, you end up wasting a lot of water. Even though thawing frozen food inside fridge takes more time, it saves water. In case you are in a hurry and ready to cook the food right away, use the microwave ‘defrost’ setting.
Reduce wastage of water during cooking. Add as much water as necessary for the food to become tender and not more than that. If you put excess water, it will be a wastage. Choosing the right size of cooking pan also saves water. You need extra water to prepare a small quantity of food in an oversize pan.
In kitchen sink, immerse dishes and utensils in warm, soapy water first. Otherwise, plenty of running water goes down the drain while scraping out food crust and grime from utensils. When it comes to hard-to-clean utensils, soak for 30 minutes before washing up. For others, 5-10 minutes soaking time is enough.
Run washing machine and dishwasher in full capacity. Thus, you contribute towards conservation of water in each round of washing.
Monitor how much water you are using in washing large open spaces like lawn and driveway. The best possible option is to reuse leftover laundry water for washing these outdoor areas.
Reduce Water Wastage in Other Areas at Home
Here are some effective water-saving plans applicable for other areas at home –
Do not leave the tap running while you are busy in any other activity like brushing or shaving or using face wash.
After every use, turn off the tap/faucet and ensure it is watertight. A slow dripping tap can lead to loss of significant amount of water over a period of time.
Drain out aquarium water into garden soil. It is a rich source of nutrients which are essential for plant growth.
Never discard leftover ice cubes. Allow them to melt in a bowl and use the water for some other purpose.
Repair all leaky faucets and cracked pipes at the earliest. We fail to calculate actual water loss due to continuous dripping from these spots.
Install low-flow fixtures for home. Shower heads, taps that regulate flow of water can reduce wastage.
Rainwater Harvesting at Home
Rainwater harvesting is a unique water saving concept. We can collect and store run off rainwater for future use. Install a long downpipe that can connect the rooftop gutter with a barrel kept on the ground. An easy and simple way to collect rainwater falling off the rooftop. Cover up the barrel with a lid. Later, utilize the harvested rainwater from barrel for mopping floors, washing vehicles, watering gardens and more. Do not store up harvested rainwater for a long time as stagnant water is a safe habitat for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
REMEMBER – Water scarcity is a major problem that mankind is facing today. The problem is getting bigger and bigger due to lack of awareness. Teach kids the habit of closing a tap when not in use. They must understand the importance of water conservation at home. Spread awareness among friends and neighbors as well. As a community, we must reduce water wastage for an eco-friendly future.
Save Water Save Earth.