Water Conservation – 3 Practical Methods to Save Water
The most crucial natural resource for everyone on Earth is water. Without water, life would be impossible. It is an indispensable resource used in everything, starting with drinking, irrigation, cleaning and washing purposes, bathing, cooking, and whatnot. Unfortunately, freshwater sources for human use are not uniformly distributed over the globe. Sadly, around two-thirds of the world’s population still lacks this essential resource. This statistic alone highlights the utmost significance to save water and conserve it.
Countries all throughout the world are worried about water shortages. The declaration of ‘Day Zero’ by Chennai’s municipal bodies in 2019—after the city had run out of water and all of its reservoirs had dried up—made headlines all over the world. According to research by the government think tank NITI Aayog, another 20 cities in India, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad, may run out of groundwater over the next few years if water conservation measures are not implemented. Adopting universal methods and ways of water conservation that can be applied across households and industries is the only way out of this critical situation.
What is the meaning of water conservation?
When people talk about water conservation, its true meaning revolves around using and storing water in a way that prevents wastage of water and ensure that water supplies will be plentiful for future generations. Water is the most abundant natural resource on Earth, and its usage does not diminish its supply since water naturally regenerates. Why then should we bother with water conservation if water is a renewable resource? While it’s true that we’ll never run out of water on Earth, water does require time to pass through various stages of the water cycle. The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the system that ensures a steady supply of water to Earth’s ecosystems through the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation of surface runoff. When excess water is used up in one location, it takes longer to restore. This indicates that excessive consumption of water can lead to a depletion of local water resources. What are the causes of water scarcity?
When a region’s natural water supply falls short of meeting demand, that region faces a physical water deficit. The following are some of the most common reasons for water scarcity:
Droughts and Changes in Climate
There are several causes of water scarcity, but drought is one of the most significant. A drought is a period of time during which a region does not get sufficient precipitation, such as rain, snow, or sleet. Groundwater Pollution
Water shortages can result from groundwater contamination caused by the improper use of fertilizers and other toxic pollutants. Water Pollution
Increasing water contamination is a key reason for concern since it contributes significantly to water shortages. It is essential to address this issue and take proactive measures to save water. Any contaminant, such as oil, corpses, chemicals, or faeces can contaminate water supplies. Because water is such a vital resource, we must all work together to protect it from being polluted.
Global Warming
Another main cause of water scarcity is global warming. A phenomenon in which the average air temperature rises, causing water in rivers and lakes to evaporate more quickly and potentially leading to the drying up of water bodies. If this problem is not tackled quickly, everyone will be worst-hit by the current water crisis. So by taking the necessary steps and exploring simple ways to save water, we can effectively address this issue.
Different Ways and methods of water conservation
Some efficient ways to save water are mentioned below:
Methods to Save Water in the Kitchen
● To save water, switch to water-efficient appliances at home. Opt for a dishwasher that includes a ‘light-wash’ option, as this can help conserve water. Additionally, utilize it only when you have a full load and choose shorter cycles whenever possible. Reuse the
● RO-rejected water for mopping floors, flushing toilets, and washing cars. Moreover, RO systems maintain the normal TDS of RO water, providing pure and germ-free water to keep your family healthy.
● Turn off the tap when not rinsing the utensils.
● Don’t wash vegetables and fruits in the running water; instead, keep them in a bowl filled with water and then clean them.
Ways to Save Water in Bathroom
● While you are shaving and brushing your teeth, turn off the tap to prevent running the clean water. Moreover, when applying soap to your hands, turn off the tap.
● For bathing use a bucket instead of a shower, as showers lead to more wastage of water.
● After using the sink or shower, be sure the water is completely turned off. Many litres of water per day can be wasted due to leaky faucets.
● At regular intervals, ensure that the toilet flushing systems are not leaking. If there are any leaks in the taps, fix them right away.
Ways to Save Water Outside
● Washing cars? Stop using the hose and start cleaning with a bucket of soapy water.
● Sweep up outside dirt and garbage using a broom instead of a hose.
● Place sprinklers so that water actually reaches the grass or plants and not the driveway or the sidewalk.
Water is, second only to air, a necessary component for sustaining life on Earth. Without careful administration, water will become scarce in the not-too-distant future. Now, by incorporating these simple ways into our lives to save water, we can go a long way toward avoiding water crises later.