If you’re a resident of Bengaluru, chances are you’re grappling with severe water shortage! Added to this is the steadily rising temperature and a monsoon that is still at least a 100 days away. Prices of water have shot up drastically, making it a commodity only a few can afford.
While it may take a long time for authorities in Bengaluru to tackle the water crisis from its root, we as citizens can take some proactive steps to ensure we’re doing all it takes to supplement the authorities’ efforts and use water judiciously!
The onus lies on us to see that we use water resources responsibly. These practices aren’t just meant to be followed in times of a crisis, but must be incorporated as daily habits that will ensure we have enough water for everyone’s needs.
Here’s what we can do to save water:
- Fix Leaks Promptly: Leaky taps and pipes can waste a huge amount of water, nearly 25L of water a day! We must inspect our homes regularly for leaks and fix them promptly.
- Choose only Water-Efficient Appliances: When purchasing appliances like washing machines, choose models that are water-efficient. This can be ensured by looking for the Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme (WELS) rating, which indicates the water efficiency of the appliance. Investing in water-efficient appliances can significantly reduce water consumption in our homes!
- Use water responsibly and be mindful of it: Especially while brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap. If possible, take shorter showers. These small changes can ensure we conserve water.
- Collect Rainwater: Every time it rains, make it a point and a practice to harvest rainwater. This can either be done by installing rainwater harvesting systems in your homes to collect rainwater from rooftops, which can then be used for non-potable purposes such as watering plants, cleaning, washing cars and flushing toilets. Or simply place empty vessels or barrels outdoors to collect rainwater.
- Educate and Advocate: Spread awareness about the importance of water conservation among your friends, family, and the community. Speak to children about the importance of saving water, so they can inculcate conservation habits at an early age.
- Reuse water from washing fruits and vegetables: Try to wash vegetables and fruits in a vessel rather than under a running tap. The water used to wash vegetables in-turn can be reused to water the plants. Additionally, the water that is generated from RO filters can be used in other ways, like washing cars or even mopping the floor.
- Replace old water fixtures with water efficient ones– Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets can help conserve water to a great extent. These nozzles and aerators prevent over consumption of water, in-turn preventing wastage.
- Be smart about irrigation- While watering the lawn, use drip irrigation. This will minimize water use and even supply water directly to the roots. This is beneficial to maintain the plant’s quality and productivity.
These actionable tips will go a long way in ensuring we’re equipped to deal with crisis situations in the future! Adopt these practices as daily rituals and you will see the amount of water you have saved over the span of a week or even a month! If you have more such practical tips, feel free to share them with us.
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