Water Consumption

Water is by all means the most important natural resources that we regularly use. Even though Malaysia is a country rich with natural sources of water, our careless usage, over-development and pollution is reducing these sources by a lot. So much so that some states such as Penang and Selangor need to import water from other states.

I subscribe to the National Wildlife Foundation newsletter, and recently they have an interesting Water Calculator. Check it out at http://www.nwf.org/water/waterCalculatorAction.cfm

While this is US-centric, do take a look at the efforts being done in the U.S. to conserve water.

Here is an interesting article about the role of water in the ecosystem and how it is interwined with wildlife.

There are a number of tips at http://www.nwf.org/water/waterconservation.cfm which is applicable everywhere, especially here in Malaysia:

Bathroom

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. In other words, don't use it for a garbage. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Test for a leaking toilet by adding food coloring to the tank (not the bowl). Without flushing, note if any color appears in the bowl after 30 minutes.
• Install a low-flow toilet. If you have a standard toilet, put a toilet dam in the tank. Do not use a brick which will disintegrate and clog your pipes.
• Use a low-flow showerhead.
• Don't let the water run when washing, brushing and shaving. Turn it on and off as needed.Get a small sand timer that lasts about 3 minutes and bring it in the shower. Most people can have a shower in six minutes.
• Repair dripping faucets or toilets, which use enormous amounts of water.

Kitchen

• Avoid washing dishes under a stream of water. Turn off the water in between dishes. Use only a full dishwasher and clothes washer.
• Save the water from steaming or boiling vegetables for houseplants, vegetable broth for soup or stir fry liquid.
• Wash food in a bowl or pot of water rather than in running water. This works especially well for herbs because you can swish them around and the dirt will come off their many surfaces. Let the herbs sit a minute and the dirt will sink to the bottom while the herbs float at the top.
• Do not use water to thaw meat. Use the microwave instead.

Outdoors

• 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 "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. Use water from your fish tank when you clean it in the garden because it contains great nutrients. Empty dehumidifiers in the garden.
• If you have a swimming pool, keep it covered when not in use.
• Sweep sidewalks with a broom, not a stream of water.
• Plant native plants that don't require extra watering.
• When washing your car, use a bucket and sponge rather than letting the hose run.
• Reduce the size of your lawn which is a water guzzler.
• Test to see if your garden needs watering by putting a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, you don't need to water.
• Weed your garden because weeds take the water away from your other plants.
• Check your water meter while no water is being used in your house. If it moves, you have a leak.