Eco Friendly Tip # 4 - Water for life

Hi Everyone, here is another eco tip for you and a few facts about the worlds water supply. I'll be honest this is not the most upbeat happy blog to start the weekend with but maybe when you try a few of these water saving tips at home you can feel happy and upbeat that you are making a difference to the world.

‘Nearly 70 percent of the world’s fresh water is locked in ice. Most of the rest is in aquifers that we’re draining much more quickly than the natural recharge rate. Two-thirds of our water is used to grow food with 83 million more people on earth each year, water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it’ – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC APRIL 2010

Growing up in Adelaide, Australia the driest state in the driest continent in the world, I was always aware of how much water I used. I knew what water restrictions were and water was always something that you paid for. In Ireland where is seems to rain more often than it is dry it is easy to forget how important conserving water is if not for myself but for the generations to come. I did a bit of reading to refresh myself on good practices to use in the home to conserve water.

1.       Ensure there are no dripping taps anywhere in your home check and mend faucets often

2.       Test your toilets for leaks too… try adding a few drops of food colouring to the water in the tank but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the colouring appears in the bowl within a few minutes if it does you know your toilet has a leak that needs to be repaired.

3.       Instead of running the cold tap until it is icy cold to drink fill up several bottle and keep one in the fridge you will always have chilled water and you will save a phenomenal amount

4.       When you are waiting for the water to run hot use a bowl to catch the water and use it to water plants, brush your teeth or for your pets.

5.       Always make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is full before you use it and use the lowest water settings available.

6.       Don’t use too much water when cooking vegetables, steam where possible not only will you save water but the nutrients will be locked in the vegetable rather than lost in the water.

7.        Install a water efficient shower head, they are easy to install and can halve the amount of water used in each shower saving thousands of litres of water not to mention reducing your power bill too.

8.       Do not let the tap run while you are brushing your teeth or shaving

9.       Water your garden early morning and late evening to reduce the amount of water that can be evaporated during the day.

10.   Try using a little less water each day in your child’s bath, bath children together and when they are old enough teach them to shower if you have a water efficient shower head it will save more water than if they have baths. Or get a bath divider you can save 20L of water per bath – My Aunt in Australia had one and I’ve yet to find one in Ireland I am currently looking at a brand called Tomy but just trying to find it… even online? If any of you knows where I can get one let me know :)

There are children living in this world who do not have enough fresh water to drink, in fact one out of eight people lacks access to clean water. We are lucky that we live in a place where we do not have to worry about providing the basics for our children. Water is a precious resource that should be valued by everyone it is a privilege not a right and we should be conscious to save every drop wherever we can, as cliché as it sounds every little helps.

Love the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies
xxx