As the weather heats up this summer, you might be wondering what drink will keep you hydrated. Water allows you to stay hydrated and doesn’t contain unnecessary calories or additives. Our registered dietitian team shares why water is your best choice year-round.
Why should I drink water?
Water is vital to our health. It plays a key role in many of our body’s functions, including bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, protecting joints and organs, and maintaining body temperature.
The amount of water you should drink varies depending on your activity level, health conditions, height and weight, gender, and other factors. Here are some general guidelines, according to the Institute of Medicine:
It’s recommended that men drink 13 cups (about 3 liters) of water each day.
Women are recommended to drink 9 cups (just over 2 liters) of water each day. Pregnant women should drink 10 cups of water daily, and breastfeeding women should drink 12 cups.
Kids and teens should drink 6 to 8 cups of water a day. Again, this all depends on activity level, age, weight, etc.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are full of water helps with this daily water intake as well. For guidelines specific to you, ask your doctor or dietitian what they recommend.
Are sports drinks good for me when I’m exercising?
Sports drinks are advertised to increase endurance and replace nutrients lost during intense exercise. But are they necessary?
These drinks contain electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium, as well as simple sugars (some may be sugar-free). However, these nutrients are generally only lost in large amounts during high-intensity exercise for one hour or more. Sports drinks may be useful for people doing intense exercise for a long time, especially if they’re sweating a lot. But for non-athletes, sports drinks are simply another sugary beverage.
Most people should drink water, not sports drinks, during their workouts.
Do caffeine drinks provide hydration?
Caffeine is found in drinks like coffee, some teas, energy drinks, and sodas. While you may urinate more after drinking a caffeinated drink, drinking these beverages does not cause you to lose more fluid than you consumed. However, caffeine can lead to headaches and trouble sleeping in some people.
Overall, water is your best bet to stay hydrated. It’s caffeine-free, calorie-free, and readily available for most people.
Is it ok to keep water in the car?
Before reaching for a plastic water bottle that’s been sitting in a hot car, think about how long it’s been in the heat.
When kept at high temperatures, the chemical bonds in plastic water bottles break down. This can increase the chance that chemicals get in the water. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this amount of chemicals is too small to cause health problems, but it can add up.
Keep bottled water at the same temperature as other groceries. Avoid leaving plastic bottles in a hot car during summer heat. Instead, put a water bottle in your bag or by the door, so you can remember to grab it on your way out.
Is it possible to drink too much water and overhydrate?
Most people are familiar with what dehydration is and how it happens. But is overhydration possible? Overhydrating happens when someone drinks large amounts of water, which can alter the levels of electrolytes in the body like chloride, sodium, and potassium. Not drinking enough fluid (dehydration) can lead to symptoms like thirst, flushing, fatigue, and fast breathing. In contrast, drinking too much fluid (overhydration) can cause nausea, headaches, cramps, weakness, and confusion.
For most people, dehydration is a greater risk. But if you are concerned about or having symptoms of overhydration, talk to your doctor. Ask your healthcare team about how much water you should drink each day.
Water is your best choice for health
You have many drink choices out there. At the end of the day, water is the first-choice beverage for best hydration. Drinking the right amount of water for your personal health and activity level is important. Try healthy add-ins like fresh mint, sliced cucumber, or lemon wedges to add flavor and variety to your water.
There’s nothing better than being on a rafting trip when it’s hot outside. But if you’re worried about spending a whole day (or several) out in the heat, exposed to the elements, we’ve got you covered.
Below are a few of our favorite tricks for staying cool no matter how hot the temps are. In other words, this is what you need to know to avoid getting fried on a rafting trip.
Of course, the easiest solution is to do what we do when get hot on the river…jump in!
How to Beat the Heat When You’re Rafting
1) Clean out the store’s sunscreen aisle before you go, because you’re going to need it.
Wearing sunscreen goes without saying, but it’s the frequency that you put it on that’s key. You want to avoid the burn at all costs, otherwise, you’ll really find out what hot feels like. So, when you wake up, put on your sunscreen. Before you get on the boat for the day, put sunscreen on. When the boat pulls over to a beach for a quick leg stretcher, you guessed it, more sunscreen. After you swim or hit a crazy section of rapids, sunscreen. Apply it all day long, whenever you have the chance, and trust us, you’ll be a much happier (albeit greasier) camper. Worried about slathering on all that sunscreen? Here are some of our favorite eco-friendly brands.
2) Keep ‘em on (your clothes, that is).
This one kind of goes against basic logic, because when you’re super hot you want to be in the least amount of clothes possible. But honestly, regardless of which river trip you’re on, when the temperature gauge is soaring and the sun is beating down on you all day long, sometimes the best thing you can do is stay covered. Invest in some lightweight UPF clothing that will provide extra help in blocking those UV rays even if you forget to dab the sunscreen underneath your armpit. And if you can only splurge on one piece of gear, choose a long-sleeve shirt with a UPF rating. And that brings us to our next tip…
3) Take your shirt for a dip.
Sometimes you’re on a boat heating up and there’s not enough time to take a swim before the next set of rapids. Or, let’s be honest, you don’t want to jump out of the boat because you’re afraid of what you’ll look like trying to get back in (nobody is staring at your butt as you’re hoisted back into the raft, promise). But whatever the situation, this is a prime opportunity to take your shirt (or hat, bandana, etc.) for a swim instead. Just dunk it in and throw it on. Voila! Instant heat relief.
Pro tip: In extreme heat, a cotton shirt or sarong can be an ideal pick over a synthetic layer since it provides evaporative cooling. If you’re headed out on a desert river trip like Grand Canyon or Cataract Canyon, or know you’re in for a heat wave when you’ll be rafting, cotton is actually your friend despite the oft-shared “cotton kills” advice you typically need to keep in mind in outdoor environments.
4) Keep your water bottle at the ready and drink often.
Staying hydrated is not really an option, it’s a must (you know, if you want to stay alive). Plus, one of the first signs of dehydration is moodiness and nobody wants to be stuck on a raft with a crab. To avoid having to go into your dry bag every time you need a drink of water, invest in a locking carabiner. Clip it to an insulated water bottle before you go and you’ll be able to hook it anywhere on the raft (there are typically boat straps all over the place). This way, every time you look at your water bottle, you’ll remember to take a sip. Also, at least once per day, add an electrolyte powder to your bottle of water and drink it down to replenish important minerals in your body, including salt.
5) Be a shade hunter.
Do you ever notice how it feels almost 10-degrees cooler in the shade? That’s because your body can stay cooler when the sun isn’t directly hitting your skin. So take advantage of the ample times during the day when you can hole up next to a tree or underneath an umbrella for some added relief. Some guides will even rig up umbrellas on their boats for sun protection in calm, sunny stretches, or will erect them riverside so you can be shaded from the sun while dipping your feet in the river. Grab a cold beverage while you’re at it. Now, that’s the ultimate way to stay cool.
White water rafting can be intimidating if you have never tried it before. After all, who paddles toward rocky, fast-moving water on purpose? If you give it a try, you’ll see. River rafting is a thrilling, one-of-a-kind experience and one of the most popular things to do in Durango, Colorado. Durango Rivertrippers was one of the first white water rafting outfitters in the area and has been offering unforgettable trips down the Lower Animas river since 1938. We want you to have the best experience possible, which is why today we’ll be going over six important safety tips for your first white water rafting trip. Book your trip online today and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns!
Tip #1: Choose a Professional Outfitter
When you take on a crazy adventure like river rafting, you want to go with an outfitter you trust. Feel free to ask questions to learn more about their business. How long have they been an outfitter? What kind of training do they ask their guides to go through? You can also check reviews and testimonials to see what other customers thought of their experiences. If you want to learn more about Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours, visit our Why Us? page. We’re not the cheapest or the most expensive outfitter in town, but we give you your money’s worth and we have had a spotless safety record for more than 35 years. Call or email us for more information!
Tip #2: Wear Your Life Jacket Properly
Durango Rivertrippers will provide you with a Type V life jacket, also known as a personal flotation device or PFD. Simply wearing it isn’t enough — you need to wear it correctly for it to be effective. Make sure all buckles are clipped and it is snug around your body. You need to be able to breathe, but you shouldn’t be able to pull the jacket off over your head. Your guide will check the fit to make sure everyone stays safe once you’re out on the river.
Tip #3: Stay in the Boat
Part of the fun of river rafting is being able to go for a swim, but there are times you don’t want to be in the water. Do what you can to stay in the boat when it gets rough and remember your three main points of contact.
Feet
Keep your foot firmly tucked under the air tube in front of you. It will help secure you in the boat, but you should make sure that your foot is not shoved so far under the tube that it is difficult for you to remove. If you are at the front of the raft, there will be footholds available.
Seat
The ride can get bumpy, so make sure you are properly seated. The best point for balance is to sit on the outer rim of the raft. Your guide will tell you if the conditions require you to adjust your seat.
Paddle
Your paddle may not seem like a very secure point of contact, but it can help brace you in rough conditions. Paddle harder in heavy white water to anchor yourself.
Tip #4: Know What to Do if You Go Overboard
If you do fall out of the raft, don’t panic. You’ll most likely resurface close to the boat and be able to reboard easily. Listen for instructions from your guide — they know the river best and they know the best way to safely get you back into the boat. There are a few strategies you should know on how to swim in rapids, which we will cover in a future blog post.
Tip #5: Listen to the Safety Talk
Every Durango Rivertrippers white water raft trip begins with safety orientation. Make sure you are listening closely as your guide outlines what to do if anything goes wrong. It’s important to pay attention even if you have gone river rafting before, because not every outfitter has the same procedures and every raft and river are different.
Tip #6: Book Your Trip with Trusted Guides
Durango Rivertrippers has a spotless safety record because our guides are all professionally trained and certified. They have spent hours upon hours on the Lower Animas and they know how to navigate in all conditions. With the right guide and a company you can trust, you can safely relax and have fun on your first river rafting trip. Book your trip today — we can’t wait to introduce you to the excitement of white water!
In this day and age, it can be hard for some people to spend enough time outdoors. White water rafting is a fantastic way to spend the day in the sunshine surrounded by nature.
It’s great exercise
Rafting is a whole lot more than just sitting in a boat! Paddling and balancing the boat requires people to use many different muscle groups. Depending on your weight and the difficulty of the river, you could burn about 350 calories per hour of rafting.
Rafting helps you de-stress
Even though rafting isn’t relaxing in the traditional sense of the word, it is an excellent way to de-stress. Getting away from the humdrum annoyances of everyday life and doing something totally different is the best way to refresh your mind.
The main objective of soil moisture conservation is to minimize the amount of water lost from the soils through evaporation (water loss directly from the soil) and transpiration (water loss occurring through the plants) – or combined, the evapotranspiration. Preserving soil moisture is important means to maintain the necessary water for agricultural production, and also helps minimize irrigation needs of the crops. This is especially important in areas where rainwater and/or groundwater resources for irrigation are scarce or decreasing due to climate change or other causes.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to conserve soil moisture. Most of these soil moisture conservation techniques are relatively low cost and complexity approaches, primarily relying on the presence of required materials and technical capacity locally. Many of the methods rely on providing some kind of cover for the soil to minimize evapotranspiration and direct soil exposure to heat and sun. Generally, most methods used for soil quality improvement and conservation, will also yield benefits to soil moisture conservation. Examples of methods for reducing excess soil moisture loss include following:
Spreading manure or compost over the soil – this minimizes evapotranspiration and also provides valuable nutrients to the soil through processes of decomposition
Mulching – mulch is a layer of organic (or inorganic) material that is placed on the root zone of the plants. Examples of mulch materials include straw, wood chips, peat. Inorganic mulch in form of plastic sheeting is also used. Mulching is most suited for low to medium rainfall areas, and less suited for areas with very wet conditions.
Conservation tillage – reducing or, in extreme cases, completely eliminating the tillage to maintain healthy soil organic levels which increases the soils capacity to absorb and retain water. Conservation tillage is a specific type of such approach where crop residue is left on the soil to reduce evapotranspiration, and protect soil surface from wind, sun and heavy rain impacts.
Crop rotation – growing different types of crops every season helps improve soil structure and thus water holding capacity. Examples include rotating deep-rooted and shallow rooted crops that make use of previously unused soil moisture, as plants draw water from different depth levels within the soil. Crop rotation may also improve soil fertility and help control pests and diseases.
Green manuring – growing of plant materials with the sole purpose of adding to the soil for improved organic matter and nutrients. The improved soil quality then also improves water retention capacity.
Deep tillage – suited for some areas and soils, deep tillage can help increase porosity and permeability of the soil to increase its water absorption capacity.
Mixed cropping and interplanting – cultivating a combination of crops with different planting times and different length of growth periods.
Contour ploughing – by ploughing the soil along the contour instead of up- and downward slopes, the velocity of runoff is reduced, creating even barriers, and more water is retained in the soils and distributed more equally across the cropland.
Strip cropping – growing erosion permitting crops and erosion resisting crops in alternate strips. Other soil moisture conservation techniques may include rainwater harvesting to minimize runoff and collect water for use on site. For more technologies on this see technology sheet Rainwater harvesting for infiltration.
Environmental Benefits of Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques
– The benefits of many soil conservation methods, depending on the material used, may also include better control of weeds, provision of additional nutrients to the soil, soil temperature control and protection of soil surface from the impacts of heavy rain and wind. – Active reuse of waste organic materials also reduces waste management needs, returning the residue crops and plants to the soil through decomposition. Socioeconomic Benefits – Potential to reduce water irrigation needs, increase crop productivity and improve soil quality – By extension, reduced irrigation needs may also reduce the costs and energy requirements of water pumping for irrigation.
Opportunities and Barriers of Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques
Opportunities
Improved soil moisture goes hand in hand with improved soil quality thus potentially
improving harvest and reducing soil degradation
Opportunities for using existing waste materials may considerably reduce costs and needs for waste handling
Many soil conservation methods are relatively low cost and complexity approaches, primarily relying on the presence of required materials and technical capacity locally
May create new income and synergies between different crop variety farmers (e.g. using palm oil production residues for mulching).
Barriers
In some settings crop residues are not necessarily ‘residues’, and may already be used for animal fodder, thus necessitating additional investment for soil conservation purposes
Planting of new cycle of crops through mulch or other crop residues may be difficult for nonmechanized agriculture, thus may not be suited in all locations.
* This adaptation technology brief includes a general assessment of four dimensions relating to implementation of the technology. It represents an indicative assessment scale of 1-5 as follows: Technological maturity: 1 – in early stages of research and development, to 5 – fully mature and widely used Initial investment: 1 – very low cost, to 5 – very high cost investment needed to implement technology Operational costs: 1 – very low/no cost, to 5 – very high costs of operation and maintenance Implementation timeframe: 1 – very quick to implement and reach desired capacity, to 5 – significant time investments needed to establish and/or reach full capacity
This assessment is to be used as an indication only and is to be seen as relative to the other technologies included in this guide. More specific costs and timelines are to be identified as relevant for the specific technology and geography.
You don’t need to use chemical fertilizers to have a thriving garden. Creating garden beds and landscapes that have active underground ecosystem of earthworms and microorganisms that keep plants healthy can be achieved using composted soil with organic materials that include micronutrients and minerals. Applying compost also provides an aerated, non-compacted base for plant roots to thrive and to absorb water and nutrients, which is key in ensuring plant health. Healthy plants mean better wildlife habitat.
Practice Water Conservation
Conventional lawns and many ornamental exotic plants require an exorbitant amount of clean water to stay green. Choosing native plants that are adapted to regional rainfall and soil moisture content is a great way to conserve this precious resource. You can also collect water in rain barrels for use in the garden.
In suburban and urban areas, much of the water that hits the landscape washes away down the storm drains, often carrying pollutants and soil with it. Reducing your lawn in favor of densely planted garden beds helps minimize runoff, and you can plant a rain garden specifically designed to collect and absorb rainwater to keep if from pouring into storm drains.
Water is a precious commodity. Humans extract it from the ground and as a result, the water table may drop, damaging habitats miles away. We divert water from rivers and lakes which reduces flow rate, possibly impacting fish, herons, otters, mussels, and thousands of other kinds of wildlife.
Ways to Conserve Water in Your Garden:
Mulch planting beds with newspaper, leaves, bark, or wood chips. Mulches retain soil moisture and improve soil quality.
Water your plantings with a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system. Less water evaporates this way than with a sprinkler, and you target your watering.
Use a timing device with any watering system.
Use “wasted” water for your plants. A rain barrel or cistern that captures rainfall from your roof is a great garden reservoir. In some areas, gray water – water from bathing or washing clothes – can legally be diverted to garden use.
If we all do our part in saving precious water supplies, we can make a huge difference for the environment.
The average person uses around 140 litres of water a day. But huge water deficits are on track to occur by the 2080s – so we need to start cutting down.
Water conservation means using water wisely and not contributing to unnecessary wastage.
Top reasons to conserve water:
Conserving water saves energy. Energy is needed to filter, heat and pump water to your home, so reducing your water use also reduces your carbon footprint.
Using less water keeps more in our ecosystems and helps to keep wetland habitats topped up for animals like otters, water voles, herons and fish. This is especially important during drought periods and in areas like South East England where there is a big demand on water supplies.
Conserving water can save you money. If you have a water meter then the less water you use, the less you may be charged by your water company.
Waiting for the tap to run cold can waste 10 litres of tap water a day!
Save water in the kitchen:
Put a large bottle of tap water in the fridge to save waiting for the tap to run cold. Waiting for the tap to run cold can waste 10 litres of water a day!
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water needed.
Put lids on saucepans to reduce the amount of water lost during heating.
Put your dishwasher and washing machine on with full loads and on an eco-setting wherever possible.
Use a washing-up bowl in your sink to reduce the volume of water you use to fill the area.
Save water in the bathroom:
Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth. A running tap can waste more than 6 litres of water a minute!
Purchase a water-efficient toilet (one with a dual flush) or go by the old saying ‘if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down!’
Get a cistern displacement device to save up to 5,000 litres of water every year. They are free from most water companies.
Shower instead of bathe. An average bath uses around 80 litres of water, but a shower typically uses between 6 and 45 litres.
Install water-efficient taps and showers to minimise heating water – this will save you money on your water and energy bills, as well as decreasing your carbon footprint.
Fix a dripping tap. A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day!
Save water in the garden:
Sprinklers can use as much as 1,000 litres of water an hour! In truth, it’s okay for the lawn to go brown, it will recover the next time it rains.
Use a water butt to catch large amounts of rainwater and use this to water your plants, clean your car and wash your windows.
Use mulch and bark in your garden, it will help to reduce evaporation by up to 75%.
Plant drought-resistant plants that don’t require as much watering.
More useful tips and in-depth information can be found on the whitewaterblackgold.com website.
Long showers feel great, but with every minute you spend pampering yourself, your wallet and the environment struggle. Along with saving money on your monthly bills, water conservation is critical for your community. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s likely that at least 40 states will experience water shortages by 2024
Follow these tips for how to save water at home:
1. Be mindful of running water.
Don’t keep the faucet running the entire time you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands. You may have heard this one before, but it’s easy to lazily run the faucet instead of turning it off while scrubbing and then turning the tap back on when you’re ready to rinse. Similarly, avoid luxuriously long showers. Try to limit shower time to 10 to 15 minutes maximum to prevent wasting excess gallons of water.
2. Fix leaks as soon as possible.
Look out for leaky faucets, dripping water from shower heads, rusting pipes and signs of water damage. Locate the source of the leak, and fix it immediately to avoid wasting more water.
3. Don’t let the toilet run.
If you notice that your toilet is constantly running, try replacing the flapper. Simply shut off the water to the toilet, and flush to drain the tank. Unhook the old flapper from the base of the tank and chain, and then replace it with the new one. Turn the water back on, and you’re all set. If that doesn’t work, it may be time to buy a new toilet. Look for an energy-efficient model, and follow these steps to remove the old unit and install the new one.
4. Wash full loads only.
Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you run them. If you have a unit with energy-saving settings for light washes and smaller loads, take advantage of them. When it’s time to invest in a new machine, look for water-saving models with the settings that allow you to adjust to load size.
5. Use a compost bin.
An in-sink garbage disposal needs a lot of water to work efficiently, so opt for a compost bin instead. It’s healthier for the environment while reducing water waste and increasing the energy efficiency of your home.
6. Insulate pipes.
Be sure to insulate exposed pipes around the house, especially in the attic and basement. When they’re not insulated, it takes longer for water to heat up, meaning it’s running for longer periods of time. You can also cover the water heater with insulating blanket to further speed up the process.
7. Run the sprinklers in the morning.
The optimal time to water your lawn is early morning. This strategy prevents rapid evaporation from midday heat, which means less water is required to sufficiently cover the grass. Avoid rogue sprinklers wasting water by spraying the sidewalk or side of the house, instead positioning them to face the grass and landscaping appropriately.
8. Perform routine appliance maintenance.
Proper appliance care and upkeep can prevent potential leaks and wasted energy. This preventative maintenance includes regular cleaning and seeking professional advice when necessary. Plus, if it’s time for an upgrade, buy energy-saving products and appliances. According to the EPA, the average household can use about 20 percent less water with water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
Complement your water conservation at home with these ways to increase energy efficiency. With mindful changes, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money each month.
If you notice spikes in your water bill, serious leaks or other maintenance issues during your water conservation efforts, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
Being prepared before maintenance issues arise is always a good strategy. Plans from White water black Gold can help with the costs of covered repairs. See what plans are available in your area.
Before we talk about the conservation of water, here are a few facts and figures that’ll help you understand the importance of water conservation.
‘76 million people in India do not have access to safe drinking water.’
‘54% of India faces high to extremely high water stress.’
Shocking, isn’t it!
Conservation of water is the need of the hour as water is a limited natural resource and in order to ensure that it is adequate for all, we need to use water with more care so as to minimize the wastage of water. One can’t stress enough about the importance of saving water. Thus, here are a few quick tips on how to save water or more importantly, how to conserve water that we should all follow unfailingly. These simple tips for water conservation in our daily life can help to effectively combat the problems related to water shortage.
5 Simple Ways To Save Water Daily
1. Take a Shower of 5 Minutes or Less
Love taking super long showers? According to this research, on average, an individual might be wasting 17 gallons of water per shower. That’s right!
If you were to multiply this number with all the members of your family, you’d notice the amount of water wasted is outrageous, to say the least. As such, one of the best methods of conservation of water that you can do right at home, right now, is cutting-down long showers.
It is one of the easiest ways to save water at home. Also, depending on the efficiency of your shower-head, you could be typically using 5 gallons (18 litres) of water per minute. To conserve water, it is ideal to take a shower of 5 minutes or less and this simple change in your daily routine can help save up to 70 litres of water per shower. Plus, you can also replace your shower-head with a low-flow shower-head to save water.
2. Install a Water-saving Toilet Flush System
This is one of the other excellent tips to save water!
One of the largest sources of domestic water wastage is flushing toilets. It is estimated that old toilets use an insane amount of water (5 to 7 gallons) per flush. Thus, by installing the latest water-saving toilet flush system, you can save up to 700 litres of water each year.
This water-saving method is slowly gaining traction, as more and more people are becoming aware of how small steps for water conservation can have an overall greater impact on the environment.
Moreover, by switching to newer models that use a lower volume of water to flush toilets, you not only significantly reduce water consumption but also save money on your water bill, which is a win-win for both – you as well as the environment.
3. Turn Off the Tap While Brushing Your Teeth & Washing Your Hands
How many times have you left the tap running while brushing your teeth or washing your hands & face or while shaving? Too many times to count, correct? Thus, if you are serious about conserving water, then this is one of the most basic water-saving ideas that you can put into practice everywhere you go – from home (especially while brushing teeth) to office, restaurants, and more.
You can save up to 20 litres per day just by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing your hands and face. This water conservation method can be easily put into practice in every household and the benefit of this, like water-saving toilets – is two-fold i.e water conservation as well as a lower water bill.
4. Don’t Keep The Tap Running While Washing Clothes/Utensils
Another common everyday household chore that leads to considerable water wastage is keeping the tap running while washing clothes and utensils. Here, one of the recommended tips on saving water is to wait until the sink is full and wash dishes all at once instead of washing them one-by-one under a running tap.
Likewise, for machine washing, a full load of laundry is a water-efficient choice. Whereas, for hand-washing, using less amount of detergent will require less water for rinsing.
Turning off the tap while washing clothes and dishes is one of the efficient ways to conserve water. This will save more than 50 litres of water per day. Plus, if you are using a washing machine or a dishwasher, then by following this tip you can save water and electricity.
5. Close Taps Properly and Fix Leaking Taps, Pipes & Toilets
Apart from turning-off taps when not in use, another way of saving water is to do a regular maintenance check and fix/replace old leaking taps, pipes and toilets. By doing this, you can save up to 75 litres of water each day which is huge and combines with all your efforts of conservation of water at home.Here is an infographic on Top 5 Ways To Save Water In Your Home Take a look!
Various Other Methods of Water Conservation
Apart from the above 5 methods of water conservation, a few other tips to save water at home includes;
Never throw/drain leftover water in a glass or bottle. This can be used for watering a plant or to fill water bowls kept for birds.
Don’t water your lawn every day, twice a week is enough. Also, to reduce loss from evaporation, the best time to water the lawn is early morning.
Install a residential water purifier for home use. Instead of buying bottled water and throwing away leftover water, you can switch to a water filter, which is a convenient way of getting clean and safe water right at home. This will help save money, reduce unnecessary water wastage, and help reduce the disposal of plastic bottles in landfills, which will help save the environment.
Instead of hosing down your driveway or sidewalk or steps, use a broom to clean leaves and other debris. This will help you save hundreds of gallons of water.
Switch to water-efficient products and appliances for your home and office use.
#Conclusion
‘Save Water Save Life’ – this quote rings true as all life stems from the water. By following these simple tips to conserve water, you can avoid daily wastage of water. And, this, in turn, can help us make a water-sufficient country where everyone has access to safe drinking water all year around.
Clean fresh water is a very limited resource. Of all of the water that exists on Planet Earth, less than 1 percent of it is usable fresh water. Water is so important for our own bodies that we can only survive for 3 to 5 days without it [1]. We bathe in fresh water. We use it to wash our clothes and our dishes. We cook with it. We clean with it, and we drink it.
For most of us, we use water for many activities on a daily basis. And all of this daily water consumption adds up to a lot of water.
Every day, an average American family uses more than 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of water and around 70 percent of that is used indoors, with the bathroom accounting for the largest share since a toilet alone can use 24 percent [2]!
Such a high water consumption is far from the 1.2 billion people in the world who lack adequate access to water and use less than 5 gallons (19 liters) per person per day [7].
Why should we conserve water and help preserve water resources we have?
There is no more water being produced on our planet
The amount of water that we have on Earth today is the same amount of water that it has always had.
For increasing number of people living in our world today, the fresh clean water that does exists and is available on our planet is becoming less and less accessible.
We are losing our freshwater supplies
As the world continues to warm, freshwater will become more limited in the future for all of us.
We are already seeing more drought conditions throughout the globe, and as the climate continues to warm we will see increased drought and desertification in many places around the world. That will make it very challenging to provide enough water for a growing global population.
Modern lifestyle supports water wasting
And yet, in many ways, we continue to waste water through activities such as watering of lawns, using agricultural, industrial, and municipal methods that are very water-consumptive, and often polluting fresh water through agricultural runoff and through the use of chemicals.
The watering of lawns is a particularly wasteful activity, as we water our lawns with fresh potable water at a time in history when many people around the world do not have enough water to meet even their basic daily needs.
If we do not begin to seriously conserve our precious clean freshwater resources now, we may all find ourselves in a world of increased conflicts, fighting over what usable water remains. This is a future that very few would desire.
Our future doesn’t have to be so disastrous, however. Today, all of us can make important choices each time that we use water. Each decision of how we use water has the potential to make a positive impact for the future of our global water resources.
How can you conserve water at home? The best water saving devices for the home
The wasteful management of this key resource also has, beyond the multiple environmental consequences, economic implications for every household. While it is generally accepted that energy efficiency measures, such as double-glazed windows offer a clear advantage to consumers, the same benefits are not as widely supported when it comes to water saving technologies.
By introducing water saving devices in every home, households stand to curb their water bills and help conserve water resources.
Here are some great solutions that provide a great return on investment for you and at the same time significantly help to reduce your water consumption:
#1 More efficient flushing
Nowadays, standard toilets use 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush, but older toilets, for example such as those before 2001, may use as much as 3.5 to 7 gallons (13 to 26.5 liters) per flush.
In the UK alone, this difference in standards could save around 600 million liters of water a day and over 65,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year [4].
There is one gadget that can help bring older toilets up to the standard of newer ones and help conserve water when flushing. It is the Hippo. It is easy to install and lasts a very long time. The Hippo is a type of polyethylene bag which can be manually placed in the water underneath the cistern float [4]. When the toilet flushes, and the water confined in the bag is saved.
#2 Water saving shower heads
We all know how important it is to turn the tap off when applying soap or shampoo and only keep the water running when rinsing. But there is more we can do to make our showers more water efficient.
Installing water efficient shower heads can save you up to 10 gallons (38 liters) of water for each 10-minute shower, depending on the model you choose. In an average family of four that adds up to 2,700 gallons (10,220 liters) of heated water per month [5].
Similarly, installing a low flow faucet aerator helps minimize the amount of water that flows out of the faucet, so less water is used overall.
#3 Smart sprinklers
Households consume a lot of water for outdoor activities, primarily when looking after gardens and watering plants. It was therefore only a matter of time until innovators dabbled with updating the traditional garden sprinklers.
The Droplet sprinkler helps conserve both water and energy by connecting it to a smartphone or tablet. When connected the Droplet sprinkler can develop a customized water schedule for the specific garden or set of plants using information from the Droplet sprinkler’s vast data network.
This tailored and targeted watering uses as little as 10 percent of the water of traditional sprinklers and save over $250 per year, in addition to thousands of gallons of water [6].
#4 Grey water diverter
Another way to conserve water is to divert water used in the bathroom or kitchen and reuse it for other purposes, particularly for watering the garden or washing cars.
In most households, this water goes straight into the sewage, but a grey water diverter can divert this water and store it in a storage vessel or connect it directly to a water hose.
While this would help conserve water, it is important to note that the grey water is often mixed with cosmetics or household cleaners that can harm the environment in large quantities. Unless all the products that are used in the household are eco-friendly, it would make sense to opt for a grey water diverter valve.
This means that instead of having a simple equal tees waste pipe splitter which is connected into the bathroom wastepipe before it joins the sewer pipe, a valve and a manual switch are added on to that so that you can choose which water can be conserved and which should not.
Other little actions you can take to make the difference
Do not forget to turn your faucets off when running water is no longer needed.
You can choose to landscape your lawn in a way that does not require watering. Opt for native plants and grasses as these are more likely to thrive with rainfall and very minimal additional irrigation.
Your diet can also have a tremendous impact of water conservation. Eating less meat can make a real improvement to water scarcity as a typical hamburger can take 630 gallons (2,384 liters) to produce.
Also, do not forget to support companies that include water conservation as one of their corporate values and farming practices that conserve water.
Support public policies and organizations that are working to conserve our global water resources for future generations.
Most of all, you should be mindful of how much water you use, conserve water wherever you can, and have an attitude of gratitude for the water that is still available to many of us.
What are we currently doing to protect global freshwater resources?
Governments around the world are legislating to ensure that water used for industrial purposes is cleaned up before being reintroduced in the water stream, the same goes for water used in cities and households as the sewage system and water treatment processes aim to clean the water.
Initiatives are in place to ensure that our farming activities impact the environment and our freshwater resources to a lesser extent. Farmers often use pesticides and fertilizers to grow crops; their use pollutes water used for irrigation and causes imbalances in the aquatic ecosystems where that water ends up.
That is the reason why this issue needs our ultimate attention and international effort to protect this vital resource.
This UNECE’s (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) agreement aims to protect and ensure the quantity, quality and sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation across countries.
Members of the Convention agree to cooperating on the management of transboundary waters by entering into specific agreements and establishing joint bodies. While initially negotiated as a regional instrument, as of March 2016 other UN member states can sign up to this Convention, making this into a universally available legal framework for transboundary water cooperation initiative.
Addressing water issues in developing countries
While progress is being made in many parts of the world, some developing regions still do not take water protection seriously.
For example, the state of water in countries like China is rather bad: 20 percent of the groundwater in China used as drinking water is highly contaminated with carcinogenic chemicals which cause high levels of water pollution.
One very important element is to make sure that developing regions invest in protecting their freshwater resources better to eliminate discrepancies in legislative ambition for water protection.
This can be achieved by putting pressure on local governments as well as supporting civil society organizations working on the ground in compromised regions to deliver projects that will help clean and protect our planet’s freshwater resources.
