It has been estimated that almost two thirds of the water consumption in an average household runs through showers, faucets and toilets. Since fresh water is a valuable natural resource vulnerable to depletion, it is imperative for consumers to use it wisely and responsibly. While most household consumers use more water than their requirement, water consumption can be reduced by adopting certain conservation habits, water recycling and reusing wastewater.
Water Saving Tips for Home Owners
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water flow; reduction in water flow can result in significant water as well as energy savings.
- Install a low-flush toilet; conventional toilets use almost 5 to 9 gallons of water per flush, low-flush toilets, on the other hand, require only 2 gallons per flush.
- In order to reduce water consumption, place a water displacement device such as plastic bottle filled with water in a conventional toilet tank. Avoid placing bottle at the point where it may hinder the flushing mechanism.
- Front loading washing machines require less water compared to top loading machines.
- Avoid leaving the faucet running while shaving and brushing teeth; avoid using showers longer than required.
- Running the dishwasher with a full load of dishes results in water saving compared to washing dishes by hand.
Water Conservation through Recycling
A useful water conservation technique that may be practiced at home is water recycling; certain modifications can be brought about in homes and buildings to collect and store gray water- water that has already been used in bathroom sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers. This gray water can be consumed in applications where clean water is not required: examples include flushing toilets, washing the car and sprinkling the lawn.
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
In addition to water recycling, wastewater can also be collected, treated and then distributed for reuse. The reclaimed water can be used for agricultural irrigation. Wastewater contains certain pollutants, yet it carries some nutrients beneficial to crops. In some developed countries, cost-competitive automated systems are used for water purification and reuse.
Conserving Water at Home
Wasteful consumption of water at home and commercial buildings costs money by increasing water and energy bills. By adopting certain conservation habits, consumers can reduce water wastage. Water recycling and reuse techniques can also play a significant role in this regard. Other conservation measures such as consumer education, installation of residential water meters and rebate on water conservation devices can result in substantial savings.
Source:
2001, Raven and Berg, Environment, Harcourt Inc.
Zeeshan Amin - I am a professional mechanical engineer with a diverse experience of over 5 years with Honda Cars, Shell Oil and Nestle.
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