We are used to water being available in the UK, and we all can have a blasé attitude to water use. However, it is a finite resource. The reality is that although over 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only 2% of this is fresh water and 1.6% of that is locked up in glaciers and polar ice caps, leaving
almost eight billion people just 0.35% of the world’s water to survive on.
In fact, the World Bank predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the planet will run short of water, and the United Nations states that by 2030 around
700 million people could be displaced from their homes due to scarcity of water.
Clearly water companies and the government should play a massive role in addressing leaks. Our personal use also is a significant factor. So how can we change our approaches to water use? Here are some examples:
- It is important to not leave water running when scrubbing teeth. According to www.waterwise.org.uk, the NHS recommended twice a day for two minutes teeth cleaning could be wasting over 24 litres of water a day, more than is used in the average modern dishwasher cycle.
- Similarly, water running when washing up uses a lot of water unnecessarily.
- Washing cars. According to Uswitch, washing a car with a hosepipe uses between 400 and 480 litres of water, whereas completing the same activity using a faithful bucket draws around 32 litres, based on a four buckets per car average.
- Flush the toilet every third use, if only for wee. This can save many litres of water and money.
- Consider installing a rainwater catchment system. These volume tanks submerged underground could supply up to 60% of your water requirements for garden, shower, flushing toilets, saving on water bills long term.
- Consider water butts for garden and household plants. Household plants generally prefer rainwater.
- Change your toilet to variable volume flushes or air to water flush. The air flush models can reduce water use by up to 84%.
- Consider changing your shower head. There are ones which push air through the water particles reducing the volume shower use by up to 50%.
The above can all help reduce your water bills. Clearly d. and f. will take some time for you to see financial payback.
Other problems are leaks/over abstraction/volume water run off leading to sewage out-spills which are sometimes associated with our often-antiquated sewage systems. However, it is clear many of the above incidents could and should be avoided. This problem was highlighted by Fergal Sharkey at the recent public meeting at the Modern Boulangerie, Harbour Street, Ramsgate which outlined the magnitude of the problem.
As climate change bites, these issues will only become even more apparent. This will not only affect humans, but also the wider environment and the multitude of other animals who we share the Earth with and who we ultimately rely on for our welfare too. Surely, we have a responsibility to act?
For further guidance on water use go to:
www.waterwise.org.uk
Written by:
Kevin Pressland
www.kevinpressland.com