The recent news that drought could be on the horizon in the UK this summer, has got people thinking about ways we can conserve our water supply.
Climate change means that the UK is likely to experience warmer, drier summers – as well as wetter winters as the weather patterns in Europe shift as the climate heats up. This means that we may have to think smarter about ways we manage our water supply in the UK, as emissions continue to rise in many places despite the climate targets set.
While there are clearly changes that need to be made on a national level to ensure our water supplies don’t run too low, there are also changes that we can make on a personal level to help alleviate the problem.
Read more: Droughts will become 'normal' in a quarter of the world by 2050, new research says
Here are some tips for conserving water in your home:
Use a bowl in the sink when washing dishes (can also be used for fruit and vegetables)
Keeping a large washing bowl in your sink and filling it up when you need to wash up those pots and pans, can dramatically reduce the amount of water you use. This is also good for cleaning fruit and vegetables when cooking, and helps to avoid just leaving the tap running too long.
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
Another one that many of us were taught as a child but is easy to fall out of the habit of, switching off the tab while you’re brushing your teeth can help save that precious H2O in your home. It’s also quieter if you happen to be doing so early in the morning or late at night.
Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine or dishwasher
This is probably good practice anyway to reduce on using washing powder or dishwasher capsules, but waiting until you’ve a proper load before putting on your washing machine or dishwasher can help reduce water waste. Also using an eco setting on either machine can make a difference, or putting it on a ‘half load’ or quick wash if you need to get it done pronto.
Take showers instead of baths
This one only really applies if you take quick showers, but given the potential for drought conditions in the UK, that’s probably something we should all be doing anyway. Taking a five-minute shower uses about half the amount of water it takes to fill a standard bath.
Use a water-saving device in your toilet cistern
There are several devices that can be easily fit into your cistern to help you to save water each time you flush. They essentially work by taking up space within the mechanism that means that your cistern doesn’t fill up fully after each time it’s emptied.
Use a watering can in the garden instead of a hose or sprinkler
If you’re a keen gardener or have noticed your grass is looking quite dry and parched this year, it might be a good idea to use a watering can when tackling it to reduce on water waste. Sprinkler systems can use up to 1,000 litres of water if left on for an hour, so are best avoided.
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