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Greywater: reducing the amount of water we waste

  • by JW

“Whether it’s to save on a water bill or help the environment, reusing water is a great idea. In fact, reusing “greywater” can reduce water waste by up to 40%.”

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Last month Tom Heap gave BBC Countryfile viewers a stark warning about the growing risks from drought driven by climate change:

BBC Countryfile hit by criticism over ‘doom-monger’ water warning – Birmingham Live

However, this is hardly ‘scare-mongering’, as last year the government itself was issuing similar warnings:

Lack of water presents ‘existential’ threat, says Environment Agency Chief – GOV.UK

The fact is that we’re using too much water – and most of us don’t realise this, as reported over the weekend:

Almost a third of Brits admit they waste water at home – despite future shortage risks. One in four think the UK is unlikely to ever run out of water due to its climate and lack of droughts – but nearly a third don’t fully understand where water comes from.

The research was commissioned by the Finish and WWF partnership, which has created the “Journey of Water” campaign, to raise awareness of where freshwater comes from and how small, simple steps to save it at home can make a big difference.

WWF spokesman Conor Linstead said: “As the water we use at home in the UK either comes directly from natural freshwater habitats, or indirectly affects them, how we use it really matters. Many freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes and wetlands are already affected by unsustainable water use at home, and the impact of climate change could put further strains on these habitats.”

Almost a third of Brits admit they waste water at home – despite future shortage risks – Mirror Online

National Geographic looked at the issue last week – and what we can do about it:

Five ways to wash with less water

With the world’s freshwater supply under growing pressure―and with water central to most people’s personal-care routines―a question we should all be asking ourselves is how can we wash with less?Whether it’s a morning shower or washing up before bed, most of us are used to turning on the faucet and using the water that flows from it for our daily routine of keeping clean. But the world is running out of water: by 2025, as many as 1.8 billion people could be living with water scarcity, not having enough water for the essentials of healthy living—drinking, cooking, and cleaning. This is pushing water conservation up the green agenda. On average, Europeans use around 114 litres of water a day and Americans as much as 310 litres: with more than a third of that water on personal hygiene, the beauty industry has a positive role to play in helping everyone to use less. Here are five ways we can all wash with less water.

Five ways to wash with less water | National Geographic

This is something these news pages have covered before:

Reducing the amount of water we waste – Vision Group for Sidmouth

The team at EcoWatch has just got in touch with the VGS, asking for an additional resource to be added for readers interested in greywater:

I’m reaching out because I saw you covered saving water.

Whether it’s to save on a water bill or help the environment, reusing water is a great idea. In fact, reusing “greywater” can reduce water waste by up to 40%.

That’s why our team at EcoWatch created a guide on how to safely use this water so families can reduce their water bill costs and help save the environment.

What Is Greywater? – EcoWatch