8 easy ways to save water

Why and how to reduce water waste with 8 simple tips?

 

Water is arguably the most precious resource we have, alongside air. Unfortunately, we tend to waste it.

Water waste is a major environmental issue. The Earth has very little fresh water. Its designation as the "blue planet" contributes to the fact that many French people are not aware of the urgent need for water conservation.

 

Why should we save water? 

 

The Earth is 72% covered in water. This observation seems to suggest there's no urgency. However, less than 2.8% of the planet's water is fresh, the rest is therefore unusable without special (and costly) treatment. Of this freshwater percentage, 2.1% is found in glaciers and permanent snow. Obviously, this water is unusable in its current state.

This depletion of natural resources is not the only reason we should save water:

 

      - Economically, if water becomes scarcer, it will become more expensive. It is therefore clear that saving water is in everyone's common interest.

      - It is a vital element for all animal and plant life, and thus an element to be absolutely preserved. 

      - We must be able to cope with shortages or droughts that come with global warming.

 

To achieve these objectives, we need to adopt daily practices and habits to gradually change this observation of water waste. While per capita water consumption is around 150 liters per day, only 1% of this volume is drunk by the population.

We consume water every day, mainly for hygienic purposes. Here is the average breakdown of household water consumption:

      - Toilets: 35%,

      - Baths and showers: 33%,

      - Laundry: 13%,

      - Dishes: 7%,

      - Garden: 4%,

      - Cleaning: 4%,

      - Food and drink: 3%.

 

Water waste: 8 tips that will change your daily life.

 

1/ Prefer showers to baths

A bath consumes more than 100 liters of water. It is estimated that a short shower (5 min) uses between 7 and 10 times less water than a bath. A shower without turning off the water consumes approximately 60 liters of water, and a short shower, turning it off while soaping, about 20 liters! The choice is therefore easy to make!

Always make it a habit to turn off the water when you are soaping.

 

2/ Collect wastewater and rainwater

We daily need water, even if it doesn't necessarily have to be drinkable. Most of the time, we use potable water for activities that don't require it. We could thus greatly reduce our potable water consumption and simultaneously lower our bill.

A very simple trick: Use vegetable washing water to water your plants.

Another possibility, the most economical way to consume water, is by collecting naturally available water. Rain is therefore an excellent way to reduce your consumption while adopting a more natural and economical approach.

You can reuse rainwater for:

• Your toilet flush.

• Washing your floor.

• Watering your plants.

• And even giving water to your animals if you have any.

 

3/ Spot potential leaks

Leaks can account for up to 25 liters/hour for a toilet flush, for example. Repairing leaks as soon as they occur therefore saves water, as well as money on your water bill.

It is important to check your water meter before and after a period of absence. This makes it easy to spot leaks.

Did you know? A toilet leak can lead to up to 140,000 liters of water lost per year.

 

4/ Consume recycled paper and cardboard

The production of paper and cardboard is very water-intensive. Recycled materials are much less so. Brands like Endro Cosmétiques are precisely there to promote the virtues of zero-waste and recycling.

 

5/ Opt for solid cosmetics

Traditional liquid cosmetics use much more water than solid cosmetics, which is quite logical. Consuming solid rather than liquid cosmetics therefore contributes to the effort of water conservation in industrial settings.

We therefore recommend a solid shampoo to take care of the planet and your hair.

 

6/ Use an economic shower head

Do you like to stay a little longer in the shower? So do we.

By using an economic shower head, it is possible to use 75% less water. In other words, the combination of an economic shower head and solid shampoo already represents huge water savings.

For a 10-minute shower, we will therefore consume:

• 60 liters, or less, with an economic shower head,
  

• between 100 and 150 liters with a classic shower head.

An economic shower head (cost: €20) thus allows water savings of 90 liters per shower, or €165 per year.

Still in the bathroom, it can be interesting to use a thermostatic faucet: this equipment allows you to pre-set the water temperature. Thus, you don't waste water searching for the right temperature. A few more liters of water saved!

Moreover, it is possible to install an aerator to limit the water flow from your tap.

Finally, don't let the water run when you brush your teeth or wash your hands!

 

7/ Toilets

If possible, install toilets with a dual flush system: toilets equipped with a dual flush tank (6 liters for large flushes / 3 liters for small flushes).

For example, for a family of 4 people, it will only consume 96 liters per day instead of 216 for a 9-liter tank, representing a saving of 45 m³ per year.

If you don't have a dual flush, modify the installation yourself! Fill one or two bottles and place them in your toilet tank. It is also possible to adjust the float to reduce the water volume.

 

8/ The dishwasher

It's not obvious for everyone to use one, especially in an apartment. Yet, the water savings are significant, as it's estimated that it takes 3 times more water to wash dishes by hand.

For several meals, a dishwasher uses 15 liters of water, which is about two to three times less than washing dishes by hand.

If you cannot have a dishwasher, you can use a basin in your sink to avoid using too much water while cleaning.

 

Water consumption figures

To show how our daily actions can improve quality of life, here are some interesting figures on water, its production, and its consumption:

• Only 40% of rainwater is "useful" (groundwater and rivers), the rest (60%) evaporates again. Hence the usefulness of collecting rainwater to use it more effectively.

• We consume approximately 150 liters of water per day. 10% more than in Germany.

• 2 out of 5 liters are lost to leaks and open taps.

• You save €200 / year by installing an economic shower head that reduces flow by 75%. Imagine if you also install economic mixers on your taps.