How to conserve freshwater resources in daily life
How can we recycle water?
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 106 million people lack adequate sanitation. Water scarcity affects 40% of the world's population and will reach 50% by 2030. In other words, almost half of the people on Earth have problems accessing a resource that is taken for granted and not cared for in developed countries.
What does it mean to recycle water?
Recycling water is the process by which we convert water destined for disposal into useful water. It can be done on a large scale, thanks to treatment plants that can clean water, or at home with small habits that help us take advantage of water.
In our daily lives we have many opportunities to recycle or reuse water for human consumption. When we cook food, in the shower, when watering plants or when using rainwater, for example, these are moments in which we can take advantage of water at home.
For example, you can use the water from your shower by placing a bucket in it while you wait for the water to get hot and use the excess water to wash dishes or water plants, or even to cook food, since it is drinkable water. In addition to cold shower water, we can also use the water from pots that we normally throw away after cooking pasta, or grey water, to water the garden, plants or clean outdoor floors.
Recycling water is a small gesture that can help save on personal expenses while taking care of the planet, fighting climate change and extending the life of a finite resource that we should not waste. Forget about throwing away water, choose to recycle it!
Why recycle water?
Currently, only 12% of industrial water is recycled , which is given a second use in the sector. Through processes such as purification or control and optimization of expenditure, great savings are achieved, but why do we do it?
By managing water sustainably and reusing water from industrial processes, we avoid wasting drinking water, saving up to 97 or 98 percent of this precious commodity, which is extremely scarce in some areas of the planet.
According to the European Environment Agency, water consumption in Spain per person per day is 265 litres , and according to the UN, water consumption per person is 320 litres. For example, washing clothes costs about 100 litres; cleaning the house about 40 litres; and flushing the toilet about 15 litres.
Controlling water consumption can be difficult, but reusing it is easier. Collecting cooking water to water plants or using rainwater are small gestures that can lead to big savings.
Since water is a finite but renewable resource , collecting and reusing it is essential to promote the sustainability of the planet. From the water coming from the tap to the leftovers when cooking or the excess when watering plants, there are always better options than throwing this resource away . In this post we see some ways to learn how to save water at home.
1. Collect rainwater
Rain can be transformed into useful water in a very simple way. By placing buckets outside or next to gutters and drains, we can obtain sufficient quantities to water plants, wash the car or mop outdoor floors.
There are also systems created specifically to collect rainwater , which can be installed without great difficulty and are very useful in areas where the climate is very humid.
2. Take advantage of the shower
When you get into the shower, it is common to let the water run until it reaches the temperature you want. You put one foot in the bathroom and turn on the tap while you prepare to get into the shower or bathtub.
This moment represents an unnecessary expense. A solution? Place a bucket under the tap to collect the cold water , which is also drinkable, and use it later to wash dishes, cook food or flush the toilet. We will be surprised by the amount of water we were wasting.
3. Collect grey or well water
Grey water or well water is the water left over when we shower, wash clothes or wash dishes. Reusing it is more complicated, since chemicals are usually used in these processes . However, if no chemicals have been used , it can be used to water gardens or orchards.
4. Put plates in the pots
An act that allows us to reuse water in a very simple way is watering plants. Simply by placing a plate under the pots we can collect the excess water and use it to care for other plants.
5. Do not throw away water from pots
When cooking food, we are used to throwing away the excess liquid when we finish cooking. A very simple way to save water is to collect the excess and, instead of throwing it down the sink, use it to water the plants.
This is a simple and beneficial process for plants, which will be able to obtain many nutrients from vegetables, greens or other foods cooked in this water.
6. From the dryer to the iron
When you use a dryer, condensation is generated , resulting in pure water, free of lime and contaminants. This resource is very useful for ironing, for car windshields or even for watering.
7. Do not throw water from the air conditioner
Just like the condensation from the dryer, the water that comes out of the air conditioner doesn't have to end up in the drain either. We are used to it being that way, but it can be used in many ways as it is practically distilled. Watering, ironing or cleaning can become a sustainable process with a simple gesture. However, in no case is it drinkable water, so it is not suitable for human consumption.
8. Don't empty bottles into the sink
It is common to leave bottles of water out of the fridge for days, causing it to warm up and become unpleasant to drink. Normally, it is poured down the sink and thrown away. However, it can be used in many different ways, as it is still drinkable water : cooking, watering, scrubbing, washing... throwing it away should be the last option.
9. Basic tips for recycling water
There are many ways to reduce the amount of water we use on a daily basis. For example, it is important to turn off the tap when shaving or brushing your teeth, as well as when soaping up in the shower or washing dishes. It is also important to avoid using the dishwasher or washing machine until they are completely full.
Another option is to soak pots or pans before washing them, so that it is easier to remove dirt. We should also be careful not to leave taps dripping and watch for possible leaks in all joints. And, of course, take a shower before bathing.
By introducing these simple gestures into the daily routine of the population, we can recycle water and save many liters. It is very little effort in exchange for a great benefit: the sustainability of the planet and improving our quality of life. Natural resources are not eternal and we must take care of them , so that we can continue to access them without restrictions. Of course, actions such as recycling are also essential to increase the life cycle of our resources.
Water, in this sense, is a particular resource: finite, but constantly being renewed. So much so that, today, we still use the water that the dinosaurs drank.
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