World Water Day //
In the UK we take water for granted. It is always there, never really restricted and I can’t remember a time when I did not have safe water coming out of the taps in my home. Actually…. I do remember about a decade ago when our tap water was a brown colour for a few days and the local community was outraged. It was a reminder of how much we take fresh water for granted.
World Water Day, on 22nd March is a great reminder for us of the importance of water. Currently there are over 844 million people do not have access to safe water globally! (Source: Water.org) A further 2.3 billion This affects their health, livelihood, education and so much more Does anyone else find that crazy? How can it be in this day and age?
Today, 1 in 9 people lack access to safe water; 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. More people have a mobile phone than a toilet. We can change this. Let’s work together to make the power of water available to all.
Alarmingly, many of these water shortages are caused by pollution and environmental damage…. both of which are man-made. Add climate change, floods and droughts into the mix and you can start to understand why we have a water crisis on our hands. Some cities, like Cape Town, are fast approaching Day Zero, when their water supply will be shut down. Planting trees, replenishing forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains and restoring wetlands are some of the natural solutions to help the water crisis but these are not short term solutions. So what can be done to make a difference? Start by trying to conserve water, here are some ways to help you start.
Laundry, Washing up and Household Cleaning
Support forward thinking brands by buying energy efficient appliances which reduce the amount of water used per wash and use eco-water saving modes in household appliances like dishwasher and wshing machine. Switch to using concentrated and ecofriendly cleaning products. They contain less water, use less packaging and require less energy to produce. When it comes to cleaning your car, choose a water conscious car wash rather than hosing the car down. Finally don’t put waste or chemicals down the drain. These often find there way back into bodies of water.
Stop using bottled water
Not only does bottled water cause a horrendous amount of plastic pollution but it takes three times as much regular water to make 1 litre of bottled water. Whether it be straight from the tap or using a filter, tap water and a reusable water bottle are a less wasteful option.
Save water
Simple steps every day can save water. You can reduce your overall water wastage by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, washing your hands or washing dishes. We are tea and coffee lovers in this country, however how many of you fill the kettle to the top every time? Try only filling the kettle for the amount of water you need boiled. When draining pasta, why not add some of the water to make a pasta sauce. One of my favourite ways to use water smartly is by reusing water that has rinsed vegetables or fruit for watering houseplants.
Clothes
Over the last decade there has been such a rise in fast fashion and quick trends. Moving to buying better quality clothes and less often is a better way to shop. Especially when it comes to our beloved jeans. I personally practically live in my jeans but was shocked to find out that to produce each pair of jeans requires approximately 10,000 litres of water is required!
