10 Things You Can Do To Reduce Water Pollution
When we talk about water, we are talking about an essential natural resource for our lives since we use it for all kinds of processes daily: drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning, watering, etc. But the uncontrolled use of this resource and bad practices make saving water increasingly urgent. Water has become a precious asset that we have to know how to take care of and, above all, we have to understand how to use it correctly and efficiently.
In this post, we come to give you some little advice based on the operation of water use. We want to show you some tricks and ways to save water and use it in a much more efficient and sustainable way from our experience. Read on and discover the 10 things you can do to reduce water pollution!
Things you can do to reduce water pollution
1. INSTALL DOUBLE PUSH-BUTTON CISTERNS
Double flush cisterns are very important when adopting new measures to save water. The cisterns can store between 12 and 15 liters of water and are used several times a day, which causes the waste it. The double push-button cisterns will help you save more than 30 liters a day for each toilet and you will contribute to the maintenance of the environment. If you cannot install them, you can place two plastic bottles inside the cistern to reduce the volume of water used when flushing.
2. REUSE OF GRAY WATER
This is a model that we would like to highlight due to the good operation: a system in which every time the tap or the shower of the sink is opened, the water passes through a filter that purifies it of impurities. It goes directly to the tank or toilet cistern. How about? Cool idea, right? Start it up!
3. PUT REGULATORS ON THE TAPS
One of the easiest measures to implement is to limit the flow of water at all taps. For this, you only need reducers or limiters that are placed between the water dam and the tap. They are very simple and are not affected by water pressure. They also provide a constant stream of water.
4. SHOWER BETTER THAN BATHTUB
It is more than evident that only by deciding to shower instead of a bathtub are you already investing in a great saving of water. Remember to turn off the tap when you are lathering, just like when you brush your teeth or shave. Only with these measures can you save up to 12 liters of water per minute. And if you also combine it with the gray water reuse system that we have discussed in the second point of the article, you will become an expert in saving water!
5. DON’T USE THE TOILET LIKE A TRASH CAN
One of the acts that we commit by mistake in a sink is to use the toilet as if it were a trash can. Therefore, we make unnecessary use of water every time we throw away the paper. Attention! It is very important never to throw away anything other than toilet paper! No wipes, no earbuds, no tampons, nothing of the sort! They are highly polluting elements that cause problems in pipes, rivers and oceans.
6. WATER THE GARDEN AT DUSK
A garden requires large amounts of water that we can save little by little with this technique that we propose. Water the garden at dusk to prevent the water you used to irrigate from evaporating and you will not have to use more than necessary to keep it. Also, your garden will be much more sustainable if you install a drip irrigation system that minimizes water losses and provides the plants with the right amount they need.
7. SUSTAINABLE CLEANING
At home: do not use too much water or toxic products on living beings such as bleach. Always use ecological and phosphate-free detergents. The ecosystem of rivers and seas will thank you. In the garden: all those garden tools that provide water, such as pressure hoses, are often misused and abused. It is better to use garden brooms that will help you clean efficiently and sustainably.
8. NATIVE PLANTS FOR THE GARDEN
The advantage of choosing native plants to form part of the garden is that they are adapted and used to the local climate and you will not need an extra effort in watering and care. Please do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Practice sustainable gardening, like us, making use of compost and other fertilizers and natural remedies. Pesticides and all chemicals are major water pollutants with many negative effects on the environment.
9. LITTLE WATER IN THE KITCHEN
In the kitchen, it is important to know the tricks to use little water. For example, when you have to clean fruits and vegetables, do it in a container with water instead of the tap running. You can steam cook to avoid wasting water and conserve more nutrients. It is also important that food is defrosted in the fridge and not using water. And try to minimize the amount of water you use to wash dishes and clean the kitchen. Remember that using the dishwasher (always well filled and low consumption) helps you save 10% of water compared to manual washing.
10. FILL THE WASHING MACHINES WELL
We have learned that we must completely fill the washing machines to reduce the number of daily washes and save water and energy. Also, everyone should avoid using polluting products during washing and use only ecological and phosphate-free detergents. Remember: fill all the washing machines well with clothes to see the water and energy consumption difference.
