As part of our ongoing efforts to green the SSL we have been looking at how we can save water. Although it seems like it rains a lot in the UK, London actually has a lower annual average rainfall than Istanbul or Rome. Here in the UK the average person uses 150 litres of water a day, plus all the water used globally to make our food, clothing, fuel and other stuff. This increases our water consumption to about 3,400 litres per day!
Oxford University has a water reduction target of 11% (38,210,000 litres) by 2015 compared to 2009/10 levels (nearly 350,000,000 litres).
By saving water we help protect river and wetland environments for wildlife, save energy used in treating and pumping water and conserve water supplies for the future, protecting us against drought.
Here are 7 things we can all do to save water:
- Turn off the tap: this could be when washing up, brushing your teeth or washing vegetables. A running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute, this water is taken from our local rivers and aquifers so save it for the wildlife.
- Report leaky taps and toilets: a dripping tap wastes at least 5,500 litres of water a year.
- Drink tap water: one litre of bottled water can take up to 5 litres of water to produce.
- Reuse scrap paper: it takes roughly 10 litres of water to produce 1 sheet of paper. Save water by reusing scrap paper.
- Try a meat-free Friday: one hamburger requires 2,400 litres of water. Having at least one meat-free day is healthy and will save water around the world.
- Eat in season: seasonal food is produced in tune with the weather. Help the global water crisis by seasonal eating.
- Take a short, sharp shower: a bath typically uses around 80 litres, while a short shower can use as little as a third of that amount. But beware since many power showers may actually use more than a bath. Try taking shorter showers to reduce the amount of water you use.
For a fun, interactive website about water usage see http//everylastdrop.co.uk/
Source of facts and tips: www.waterwise.org.uk