Help save water at home with these simple to do life hacks.
As rainy season continues in full force it can be easy to forget that it is vital that we preserve the planet’s resources such as saving water. There may feel like there is plenty to go around but Thailand can suffer from droughts so its important that we all do our bit. Some of us may pay at set amount for our water usage at home, but many of us pay for what we use. Therefore this is another reason to be wise with how we use it. To help, we have listed a number of obvious (and not so obvious) things you can effortlessly do at home to cut back on your water consumption.
1. Turn the taps off.
This applies particularly when you are brushing your teeth, washing your hands or even doing the washing up. Turning the tap off when you are not using the water really makes a difference. In fact according to research, by turning off your tap when you are brushing your teeth can save as much as 7,500 litres each month alone.
2. Use the economy setting.
As technology improves as does efficiency. Dishwashers and washing machines use less electricity and water than ever before and now come with an economy setting for even less water consumption. Don’t be put off by the longer cycle length that often comes with this setting as it will be worth it. Also remember to only turn on home appliances when they are full and don’t be tempted to switch on with just half a load.
3. Fix any leaks.
A dripping tap or a leaky pipe can increase water consumption so fix these quickly. This straightforward measure will quickly eradicate the annoying dripping noise too.
4. Collect rainwater.
If you are an avid gardener or even if you just have a few houseplants or some on your balcony, this is the time to make the most of rainy season and collect rainwater to use between the rains. Depending on your space you can invest in a water butt but even the ice cubes in your finished drink can be used to feed your plants. Don’t forget to water your plants early in the morning rather than in the midday sun.
5. Shower rather than bath.
Assuming that you are quick in the shower, well less than 10 minutes, there is no doubt that the shower uses less water than a bath. If you are desperate to sink yourself in a tub full of bubbles, then maybe limit the amount of baths you allow yourself each week.
6. Efficient fixtures.
Many older fixtures and fittings such as toilets, taps and showers will use more water. It may seem costly to replace these but investing in a low-flow toilet, efficient shower heads or even economical washing machine and dishwasher will pay off in the long run.
7. Cook with care.
If you are a keen cook then there are steps you can take in the kitchen too. Rinse vegetables in the sink or in a saucepan rather than under a running tap. If you are cooking multiple things, consider cooking them together such as pasta and vegetables or even reusing the water once the pasta is cooked. When boiling water for either cooking or just a cup of tea don’t overfill the saucepan or kettle with more water than you need. Then when it comes to washing up remember to turn off the tap whilst you are rinsing.