Water, why we need to save it

On the surface, we live on a planet with an abundance of water, so why do we need to worry about conserving it? Well, only 3% of the water available is freshwater and thus drinkable, and of that, most is locked up in glaciers and icebergs! Additionally, it still takes energy to deliver water to our homes and it is still important to be conservative with one of the Earth’s most precious resource even during times of surplus availability. This is because water stress will be a phenomenon that becomes increasingly common as climate change intensifies, concerning for countries such as Australia which is the driest habitable continent on earth. Not to mention, by reducing the amount of water used within your home, individuals can save on their water bills - a great financial incentive. I have outlined some water saving strategies below, some of which you might have grown up with, especially if you have lived in an area with water restrictions.

“Increased water efficiency and conservation measures by Australian households may lessen the demand for fresh water supplies in urban and rural areas; resulting in greater environmental benefits and a sustainable water supply in the future” - Australian Bureau of Statistics

Turn off the tap, choose water efficient appliances and only use the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full

According to Sydney Water, on average, each person in Sydney uses about 200 litres of quality drinking water every day! That is an incredibly surprising figure, despite the fact that it is far lower than historical levels! It’s an obvious one, but having shorter showers and turning off the tap when brushing your teeth (or even between steps of shampooing and conditioning) are simple ways you can save water. It can also help to choose water efficient shower heads and appliances, only completing loads of washing when the machine is full and you might also want to consider placing a bucket in the shower to capture the ‘grey water’.

Grey Water

Have you ever looked at the back of some household products, for example cleaning detergents, and seen a note saying ‘grey water safe’?

Grey water is a term used to describe the wastewater that comes from a variety of sources including showers, baths, sinks and washing machines. The value of this wastewater lies in its ability to be reused for other purposes, reducing the reliance on perfectly clean drinking water for tasks like irrigating your gardens and lawns or flushing toilets, which do not require quality drinking water. There are three primary methods of capturing and reusing grey water, including manual bucketing, the installation of water diversion devices that redirect the wastewater outside into a small holding tank for use and, finally, the use of treatment systems that allow for use in the homes (i.e. for toilet flushing).

Reusing grey water has a number of benefits for the environment. Not only does it assist with the conservation of water but it also provides a back up resource during times of water stress. Whilst this all sounds very positive (and it is!), there are also a number of things to keep in mind when deciding to recycle water. First, don’t drink it and only use it on plants that aren’t going to be consumed. Second, once stored, use it relatively quickly (less than 24 hours) as when grey water sits it can develop an oder. The same goes for the need to check the filtration system, recommended to be looked at at least weekly. Finally, be mindful of the chemicals, salts and disinfectants used that might damage gardens and ecosystems and make sure to keep the water within your property bounds as when it escapes this can be illegal (different councils can also be more or less strict on the use of grey water so check online).

These pros and cons not only highlight a need to adopt a degree of caution when recycling water (monitor your plants, they will tell you if they are happy when using grey water!) but it also reaffirms why using grey water safe products is important. I use the Earth Choice products and those from the Ecostore. Both have packaging that is made out of recycled and recyclable plastic, they do not test on animals and they are suitable for grey water recycling (*keep in mind, dishwater is actually classified as ‘black water’ due to possible contamination from food and thus shouldn’t be re-used). Plus, even if you weren’t planning on recycling your grey water, at least you can have peace of mind knowing that these products are less harmful for the environment in comparison to more conventional alternatives.

Install a water tank

Water tanks are not only amazing at harvesting rainwater and thus reducing the demand on the main water supply, but they also lessen the stress that storm water run off can place on drainage systems, which can become easily flooded and polluted. In Australia, there are many areas where you can receive a rebate for installing a water tank so make sure to check your local government website. For example, Inner West Council pays a maximum rebate of $2,000 and Randwick Council pays a maximum rebate of $1,000.

Water is such an increasingly precious resource, so every drop saved counts, regardless if it’s as big as installing a rainwater tank or simply turning off the tap when brushing your teeth!