What Can We Do to Help Save Water?
Simple steps can help reduce water waste and if everyone does their bit, it can make a difference
Zimzim Water Fountain (2021) by Yazdathe United Nations
Trickle down effect
There are lots of ways to do your bit to help save fresh water. You may already be doing some of them without realizing. Can you do more? Let's find out.
Zimzim Water Fountain (2021) by Kamira MAHMOODthe United Nations
Use washing machines wisely
On average a washing machine uses 60 gallons of water per load. By washing clothes, ONLY when we need to and by making sure the machine is full, before starting a wash cycle, we can reduce the amount of water our households use. It saves on ironing too!
Harm to Table by Matthew Mazzottathe United Nations
Use water to cook, then use it again!
When boiling vegetables or rice, the water can be used again to make soup. Or you can use it to water house plants. Don't add salt to the water - it's better for our health and our plant's health. Then wait for it to cool down. We don't want to boil the Begonias!
Water usage by MathiaUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Go vegan!
Can you cut down on animal based foods once or twice a week, or for longer? According to The Vegan Society, it's estimated that moving to diets which exclude animal products worldwide would reduce agricultural water use by 19%.
Rooftop garden in Kolkata, a men tending his plants and vines. (2018-05-09) by Sudip Maiti / Climate Visuals CountdownUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Give washing-up water a second life
When you've finished washing the dishes, don't pour the water down the drain. This water can be used to water house plants or the garden (not vegetables though and not on the leaves). Or you can use it to flush the toilet by pouring it into the toilet bowl.
Astronauts Culbertson and Bursch brush their teeth on Discovery's middeck (1993-09-25)NASA
Squeaky clean teeth without running water
When brushing your teeth, don't leave the tap running. A running tap can waste 6+ litres of water, per minute. If we brush our teeth for the recommended 2 minutes, morning and night, we can each waste 30 litres of water per day.
Or we can turn off the tap and save the water!
Fossum wets his hair for washing during STS-121 / Expedition 13 joint operations (2006-07-13)NASA
Shower vs bath
A five minute shower uses an average of between 38-95 liters of water. A bath uses an average of 265 liters of water. The choice is simple. Taking a 'Navy Shower' can save even more water:
1) turn the water on to wet yourself
2) turn it off to soap up
3) turn it back on to rinse
Taking a shower uses less water than a bath, but it still uses water. There are ways to reuse this water. Put the plug in when having a shower or use a bucket or bowl to catch some of the water. This water can be used to water the lawn or house plants or flush the toilet.
Anita Das (2020) by Habibul HaqueUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
If it's yellow, let it mellow
Older toilets use 7 gallons of water each time they're flushed. As well as reusing washing water to flush the toilet, could we flush the toilet at home, every other time it's used? This routine is best kept to the home only, it's not advisable at work or in a restaurant!
Cloud House by Matthew Mazzottathe United Nations
Reducing the risk of flooding
The use of a water butt to collect rainwater from the roof of a house can make a small but meaningful difference. If every house had a water butt it could reduce flood risk and water pollution, as well as providing water for the garden during drier months.
Rainwater harvesting
Even if you don't have room for a water butt, catching and storing rainwater is a simple way to save water. You can leave a bucket, a watering can or bowl out, when it's raining. This water can be used on the garden or potted plants.
Children collecting water from the water source (2019) by Vlad SokhinUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
What else can you do?
You've seen a few ideas to help save water, our most precious resource. There are lots of other ways to save or reuse freshwater. What else can you do to make a difference? See how small actions can help at the United Nations Water and make a pledge to do your bit.
Water and the triple planetary crisis (2022) by © UNEPThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Additional learning and resources
IUCN:
- Community Organizing - Toolkit on Ecosystems Restoration
- Freshwater for the Future
Conservation International: Freshwaters Ecosystems
National Geographic: Freshwater Ecosystem
