4 of 42

Write now Article Tools

We have a cute wall plaque hanging on our bathroom wall which I bought at a fete some years ago. It has a picture of a bath full of kids and it says "Save water, shower with a friend". My hubby and I did try it once, but the average shower cubicle isn't really very spacious. It may be okay for a bit of fun now and then - but if it's water conservation you have in mind above anything else, then there are probably better and more consistent methods.

There are actually plenty of ways you can save water around the home without too much effort. It really is mostly a matter of seeing the need and being conscious of ways in which you can save this precious resource.

One of the simplest ways to save a considerable amount of water every day is to have a water-saving shower rose installed. The flow from it might not feel so luxurious - but you soon get used to it - and it really does make a tremendous difference to water consumption in the home.

You can also limit the amount of time you spend in the shower. If you do enjoy a nice long shower, maybe you can just allow yourself that luxury once or twice a week at most. Reducing the time you spend in the shower by five minutes can save up to 50 litres (approx 12 gallons) of water. If every person in every family in every home even just made that contribution to water conservation it would make a significant difference.

Baths should not be filled right up either - even if you only have little people who wouldn't make it overflow when they get in. Approximately a third of a bath-full of water is probably plenty enough for pretty much anybody.

These days it's considered the norm to bath kids every day - but many of them really don't need one that frequently. Kids don't get as smelly as adults - and, unless they're getting dirty playing in the yard, they could easily go a couple of days between baths. Our society has become quite fanatical about such issues in the past few decades. In so many ways we are spoiled, have great expectations and have been taking water too much for granted.

When I was a kid we certainly didn't have baths anywhere near so often - and there were no more stinky people around than there are today. We could save a significant amount of water if people bathed their kids a bit less frequently and just gave them a decent wash on other days. I wouldn't advocate that most adults shower less than once a day though. I would find it hard to live with myself if I didn't shower every day - and I wouldn't expect anybody

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Ways to save water at home?
We want to hear your view. Write now!