Water is a precious resource, and we all have to do our bit to use it sparingly, no matter the season. Here’s how you can save water in the kitchen:
1. Tighten leaking or dripping taps
Have leaks fixed as soon as possible, and always close taps securely.
2. Reduce your water pressure
Too-high water pressure doesn’t just waste water, it could also cause damage to pipes, resulting in leaks that will lead to more water wastage. Consider installing water-pressure-reducing valves to prevent this.
3. Don’t drink from the tap
Pouring drinking water from the tap often means leaving water to run for a few seconds until it’s cold. So you’re effectively going through at least two glasses of water for every one you drink – the rest goes down the drain. Fill up a few bottles at once to store in the fridge instead.
Related: How to EAT your eight glasses of water
4. Keep a shallow bucket…
…in your kitchen sink to catch the runoff from rinsing vegetables and washing hands. Pour it onto your garden.
5. Don’t rinse or wash dishes under the tap
Hand washing usually involves two sinks full of water – one for soap and one for rinsing – or turning the tap on and off again to rinse each individual dish. A dishwasher can use about half the amount of water. Opt for one with an ‘economy’ cycle if possible.
6. Upgrade your washing machine
If your model is more than five years old, you may be missing out on water-saving technology advancements.
PHOTO: iStock/FamVeld
