Save Water - Why and How?

Why Should We Save Water?

The majority of consumed drinking water is preheated. Shower, bath, and washing water are also heated. This heating uses a lot of energy. Saving hot water also means saving energy and money. It's not just about your home. Energy is also used to pump and treat water before it reaches households. Therefore, total water savings can lead to significant emission reductions. The less water you use, the less you pay at the end of the month. Saving over a few months can save you a lot of money!

Saving Water: Pros and Cons 

Pros
One major reason to save water is the environment. Domestic water use is not always dependent on water availability. However, about 70 percent of overall consumption is in agriculture. Nearly half the food on our plates requires irrigation during growth.

For this reason, saving water in agriculture is crucial. Drip irrigation systems are the most promising: Water flows with minimal force through perforated hoses placed above or below ground. It reaches the roots directly without damaging them, reducing water consumption by 30-70 percent. Yields also increase as plants grow in a more humid environment suitable for them.

Cons
The disadvantages of water saving are not immediately apparent to consumers. In wastewater systems, sometimes due to environmental protection measures, waste and everything it carries flows so slowly through pipes that sulfuric acid can form and cause damage. Wastewater pipes may have insufficient flow, impairing self-cleaning and requiring more effort for cleaning, sometimes using additional fresh water.

Tips for Everyday Life

- Shower instead of bath: A bathtub holds up to 200 liters of water, whereas a shower uses 60 to 80 liters. This makes a big difference.

- Turn off water and soap when washing hands: Save up to 2 liters by turning off the water while cleaning and washing your hands.

- Fix leaking taps: A dripping tap can waste a lot of water throughout the day. The dripping sound is also annoying. Repairing a tap not only helps the environment but also your nerves.

- Avoid running water in the kitchen: Wash fruits, vegetables, and salads in bowls, not under running water. The same applies to washing dishes if you don't have a dishwasher.

- Don't let cold water go to waste: Sometimes hot water takes a while to heat up. Until then, more or less cold water runs out of the tap. Use it for things like making tea.

- Use the eco-flush button on the toilet: Use the small flush button whenever possible. It uses up to 50% less water. Another saving trick is using an additional water stop button to end the flush early.

- Only use fully loaded washing machines and dishwashers: This reduces appliance use, saving water and electricity. Proper loading is also important to maximize dishwasher space. Place heavily soiled dishes on the bottom and refillable containers above. Ensure the spray arm moves freely, and dishes are not stacked too tightly, allowing proper cleaning.