| Water is a precious commodity that we | | | | electricity supply and even in the paper |
| all need and use in a number of | | | | you use. Shockingly, one sheet of A4 |
| different ways on a daily basis. In | | | | paper has around 10 litres of water |
| fact, according to Waterwise, a non | | | | embedded within it. |
| governmental organisation and a leading | | | | If we all take note of how much water we |
| authority on water efficiency, here in | | | | are actually using and make a bit more |
| the UK each and every one of us uses | | | | effort to reduce that amount and |
| approximately 150 litres of tap water | | | | minimise wasting water, collectively we |
| every single day, which amounts to an | | | | could make a significant difference to |
| awful lot of water. However, if we | | | | ourselves and the planet. |
| include embedded water too, then this | | | | How to reduce the amount of water you |
| figure rises to a staggering 3400 | | | | use |
| litres. | | | | - Make sure that any leaking or dripping |
| The problem we all face is that water is | | | | taps are fixed straight away. A dripping |
| an essential part of life and as such, | | | | tap can waste around 5500 litres of |
| we must all endeavour to safeguard the | | | | water over the period of one year |
| quality of our water both now and in the | | | | - Try to take a shower rather than a |
| future. Pollution is a global problem | | | | bath; a shower uses a lot less water |
| that affects us at a local level so what | | | | - Don't keep the tap running constantly |
| are governments doing about it and how | | | | when you are washing dishes or carrying |
| can we help? | | | | out toileting routines, get into the |
| The Water Framework Directive | | | | habit of turning the tap off when you |
| The Water Framework Directive came into | | | | don't need it |
| force in December 2000 and it states | | | | - Water your garden in the evening or |
| that by the year 2015, we must restore | | | | early morning when less water is likely |
| our waters to good health. Waterwise, | | | | to evaporate, avoid using sprinklers |
| along with nine other non governmental | | | | - A lot of the water that we use in the |
| organisations have launched a "Blueprint | | | | home doesn't need to be as pure as |
| for water", that basically outlines a | | | | drinking water, for example the water we |
| ten point plan to meet the objectives by | | | | use for plants, in the garden and for |
| the year 2015. | | | | flushing the toilet. Invest in a water |
| The steps involved include wasting less | | | | butt to catch rain water and use this in |
| water, addressing damage to our rivers | | | | the garden and for your plants |
| and wetlands, reducing pollution and | | | | - Set your printer to print on both |
| making sure that water stays clean, is | | | | sides of the paper and make sure you |
| priced fairly and that those who pollute | | | | recycle any waste paper and avoid the |
| the water, pay penalties. | | | | temptation to throw it out along with |
| What can we do at home? | | | | household rubbish |
| There are other steps we can take at | | | | - Consider investing in new water |
| home too. Most of us are now very | | | | efficient appliances in the home, a dish |
| familiar with the concept of recycling | | | | washer for example, uses a lot less |
| in general. Nearly all local authorities | | | | water than hand washing the dishes, you |
| have kerb collections in place for at | | | | can also buy low flush toilets and |
| least two different types of waste | | | | energy efficient taps |
| material and we are all encouraged to be | | | | - Put a hippo into your toilet cistern |
| more environmentally aware by reducing | | | | to reduce the amount of water being |
| the amount of waste we produce in the | | | | flushed down the toilet and don't flush |
| first place, re-using what waste we can | | | | the toilet unnecessarily. Collect other |
| and recycling the rest. Water is no | | | | water you have used and flush the toilet |
| different but unfortunately many still | | | | with that |
| take it for granted. The truth is, we | | | | - Don't put half loads of washing into |
| are already experiencing water shortages | | | | your washing machine, wait for a full |
| in the UK, and if we don't take action | | | | load |
| now then the situation could become a | | | | - Keep cold water in the fridge, |
| lot worse in years to come. | | | | particularly during hot weather so that |
| So let's look at the different ways we | | | | if you want to drink some cold water, |
| use water. In the home we use water for | | | | you don't have to run the tap waiting |
| drinking, bathing, washing the dishes | | | | for the water to get colder |
| and clothes, flushing the toilet, | | | | Conclusion |
| cooking and cleaning and outside of the | | | | A little bit of effort goes a long way. |
| home we use it to water the garden and | | | | If we all spared a moment to think about |
| wash our cars, hose down our streets and | | | | what would happen if we didn't have a |
| so on. However, water is also used in | | | | constant supply of clean running water, |
| other ways; for example, it is embedded | | | | we might think twice before turning on |
| in foods, drinks, your car, your | | | | the tap. |