Practical Tips On How To Recycle Water At Home
Climate change and global pollution are among the many effects of man’s abuse and disregard for mother nature’s resources. And while we are in the era of global industrialization and growing population, people are unaware of a bigger crisis that awaits – water shortage. In fact, according to the United Nations, two-thirds of the world’s population is bound to face water scarcity by 2025. Luckily for many of us, we have access to clean water; because in some countries, less than half of the population has access to any form of water. Globally speaking, can you believe that 1 in every 3 people still do not have access to clean and safe water? Just put yourself in their shoes and imagine how hard it must be for them.
Given this, don’t you think it’s sensible that we do our fair share in conserving water in our own little ways? That’s right. Little effort to conserve and even recycle water when done collectively, can result to more people having access to clean water and healing mother nature. Not to mention the cost savings on your monthly water bill by simply recycling water at home. Here are some practical and doable ways to recycle water in your household.
Set up a rainwater collection system that can divert rainwater from downspouts to rain barrels. Rainwater is probably the best water for your plants. Notice how your plants look greener and healthier after every rain; and by having a rainwater collection system, your plants can have access to rainwater regularly.
Want to take this project seriously? How about installing a water filtration system like the one offered by SJ Wave to filter rainwater from your rain barrels for home use. A good filtration system can remove dusts and particles in the air that have been borne as rain falls. Connect pipes to your toilet, shower; or use it to wash your cars or connect it to your laundry machine. Rainwater being naturally soft can prevent limescale build-up that can impair the life of your household appliances. Ponds too are better topped with rainwater since it's free from chlorine treatment that can adversely affect wildlife.
Ever heard of fog catchers? Much like a rainwater collection system, you collect water by trapping fog moisture in nets that drip in gutter pipes down to a barrel. Water collected may be used much like rainwater and can even be consumed for drinking using a filtration system
Recycle kitchen waste water used to wash rice and vegetables, cook pasta, and clean fish. These kitchen by-products are rich in nutrients, and can be used to fertilize plants and nourish plant growth.
Reuse excess drinking water. Leaving your glass of water half-full is an unwitting means that water is wasted at home. Make it a habit to consume your glass of water every meal; and if it’s really too much to finish, might as well use it to water you plant. Remember, every drop counts.
Clean your driveway as your wash your car. Maximize your soapy car wash by using the water to rinse it off to wash your driveway. This way, both your car and driveway are cleaned at the same time with the same water.
Want to use 35% of your household waste water to use? Install a grey water recycling system to recycle water that one would otherwise flush out the drain. It is connected to your home’s plumbing system and works by collecting used water from the shower, kitchen, air conditioner pipes, and laundry for reuse in flushing your toilet, washing your car, watering your plants, or other needs. Make sure that recycled water is free from chlorine when your use to water your plants as chlorine may be detrimental to your plants in the long run. Install an efficient water faucet filtration system to filter out chlorine and other harmful contaminants from your tap.
Elevate your flower pots on a layered rack and place a gutter-like structure underneath with a catch in the end to hold excess water. There are times when your unintentionally overwater your plants; this way excess water does not have to be left to flow down the drain and instead be used to water your plants the next time.
Recycling is way to conserve water and maybe cut down on your water bill. But there are more ways to save water in the first place. These practical tips are definitely worth remembering.
- Enjoy but do not overindulge in your shower time. Who doesn’t love a warm shower after a long and tiring day? A refreshing shower to soothe your mind and body is truly rewarding; but be careful not to spend too much time under the shower or you end up wasting too much water.
- Use water sparingly. Be mindful of letting water flow from your faucet at moderate flow. This way, you are able to maximize your use of water without much of it going to waste down the drain.
- Do not leave your faucet running while brushing your teeth. For the number of times and amount of time you spend in brushing your teeth in a day and the number of people in your household, the amount of water that is wasted if you keep your faucet flowing is probably one of the biggest contributors to wasted water. Train your kids early to be mindful of turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth and be mindful of the value of water.
- Use the half-flush button in your toilet water tank when you pee and use the full flush when you do your number 2. That saves you half the water in your water tank every time you pee which you do a lot during the day.
Other than air, water is probably the most vital element you need to survive. While many people have unlimited supply of clean water, there are less fortunate people in the driest part of the earth who do not even have access to any water source. So the next time you carelessly leave your faucet water running while brushing your teeth or spend additional time in the shower, think of the people who are happy to live by one pail of water for their personal needs for a whole day. Learn to recycle water and save on your water bill.
