As we go through the worst drought in the country in 23 years, we have no option but to look at every possible kind of water saving method that we can.
You’ve Earned It shares five practical water-saving tips/methods that we have adopted (amongst others) that work well:
• Ditch the dishwasher, and wash by hand. Place a small basin in your sink and use as little water as possible to wash the daily dishes. Water your favourite pot plants with this grey water – the dishwashing liquid helps to deter those pesky little garden invaders!
• Place a bucket in the shower and collect some of the water that could otherwise go down the drain. Use for the same purpose as above or place in the cistern for flushing the toilet.
• When washing your face or brushing your teeth or shaving, turn the tap off as often as possible.
• You have probably already reduced your shower time to a maximum of five minutes a day – turn the shower off in between soaping and rinsing yourself off, or in between hair washes and conditioner.
• Place a 2-litre cold drink bottle in the toilet cistern. This saves about 20% of the water used when flushing the toilet.
For the benefit of other You’ve Earned It readers, please share your water-saving tips in the comments below.
This business of reducing the water flushed is all very fine except that most flush toilet seem to be useless for people who follow a mediterranean diet or something similar. As a consequence of such a diet one gets ‘floaters’ which often don’t go down when the toilet is flushed. Then you have to put in more toilet paper and try again. Sometimes up to three times. Reducing the amount of water flushed would only make it worse.
Dear Chris
Thank you for your frank and detailed comments on this topic, which I hope will be followed by those who follow a mediterranean diet!
Kind regards
Marilyn, YEI Editor
I do all the above for avery long time already, not only since thr drought. I also catch all the water from the washing machine and water the plants with it. It is amazing how much water one can save, with just a little care. If only everybody would take the trouble to do it. The same goes for wasting electricity.
Dear Ms Walluschnig
Thanks for your comments. Couldn’t agree with you more – it takes 20 days to change a habit – if everyone could do all of this and more, the savings would be enormous.
Kind regards
Marilyn, YEI Editor
I was told NEVER put water from washing your dishes onto plants (in pots or otherwise), as the fats remaining in the water are not good for the soil.
Dear Thirza
Thanks for your comments. I was of the same opinion as you until someone suggested that it really does work well. I, and some of my colleagues, have tried this, and my roses are now growing even better than ever before!
Kind regards
Marilyn, YEI Editor