According to DEWA, residents in the UAE use 500 litres of water per day compared to an international average of 300 litres a day. The largest uses of household water are when flushing the toilet, taking showers and baths. Despite the fact that over 70% of the planet is covered by water, almost 900 million people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water. The importance of water cannot be undermined and as a resource we must conserve it.
There are ways in which we can save water and contribute to the wellbeing of the planet. www.helpling.ae, UAE’s online platform for cleaning services and advocate of eco-friendly living, offers tips on how to save water:
1. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth and reduce shower time. As simple as it sounds, it is also greatly neglected. We tend to wash our face and brush our teeth while keeping the water tap running. The average water running for five minutes of washing hands and brushing teeth is estimated at 30 litres. A 15-minute shower consumes an estimate of 114 litres of water. That is a total of 144 litres, 1008 litres weekly, 4,320 litres monthly, 52,560 litres yearly for just washing, brushing teeth and showering. So close the faucet when not in use, the environment and your wallet will thank you.
2. Repair dripping taps. We’ve all experienced an episode of a dripping tap, whether in the bathroom or kitchen. While it may seem like a few drops of water, it accumulates and could fill a 20 litre bucket over time. Invest in repairing any broken taps in your home and save water and reduce your bills.
3. Do not use the dishwasher half load. Ten minutes of washing dishes by hand consumes 57 litres of water while running the dishwasher for one load consumes around 8 litres daily. You obviously save water by using the dishwasher, however always ensure that it is fully loaded to conserve water consumption.
4. Use a spray bottle to clean. When cleaning the various rooms in the house, use a spray bottle to minimise the amount of water wasted without compromising on the cleaning process. Use a solution of water mixed with disinfectant and wipe with a cloth to ensure ultimate cleaning.
5. Water your plants early in the morning or in the afternoon. The UAE is known for its hot summer. The best time to water plants during the summer months is in the early morning or in the afternoon while it is cool enough. This allows the water to run down the soil and reach the roots of the plant without being lost to evaporation.