Wacky Wednesday - Water

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.................A few ways to save water

97.5% of the world’s water is locked in seas and oceans, too salty for human use. And most of the remaining 2.5% is in the ice caps.

So, we humans depend on the tiny bit available as fresh water – an essential natural resource for life.

But we don't just use water for drinking. We wash in it, clean with it, and use it to produce everything from clothing to food. Crop production – including feed for livestock and biofuels – is putting a great strain on fresh water supplies.

1. Turn off the taps

Don't let your water consumption run out of control. Save 6 quarts of water a minute by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth. Fix leaky taps too – and stop what could be 60 quarts of water going straight down the drain every week.

2. Shower with less

Every minute you spend in a power shower uses up to 17 quarts of water. Set a timer on your phone to keep your showers short, sweet and water-saving. Switching to an efficient shower head will allow you to lather up in less water, which means you'll save water and cut your bills.

3. Save up your dirty clothes

Washing a full machine load of clothes uses less water and energy than 2 half-loads. This means lower bills as well.

4. Reduce food waste

It takes a lot of water to produce our cereal, fruit and other food. More than half of the 7 million tons of food and drink households waste every year could be eaten. Wasting less food could save you $540 a year .

5. Time your gardening

Water outdoor plants in the early morning or at the end of the day to stop water immediately evaporating in sunlight and heat. Water the soil so that the liquid goes straight to the roots, where it’s needed.

In a heatwave, animals need water too. Instead of watering your lawn, leave out a water-filled container, like a casserole dish, for birds to drink from and wash. Thirsty bees and other insects will need a saucer or bowl with water and stones in it.

6. Catch rainwater

Installing water catch systems saves up to 5,000 gallons of water a year. And your plants will thank you for rainwater rather than treated tap water.

You can also cut water use by 33% by watering plants manually instead of using automatic sprinklers.

7. Get a low-flush toilet

The average household flushes 5,000 times per year. Modern dual-flush systems save huge amounts of water. They use just 6 quarts– or 4 with a reduced flush – much less than the 13 quarts for each old-style single flush.

8. No more hand washing

Got a dishwasher? Fill it up completely each time you run it and you'll use less water than you would doing the dishes by hand. Yes, even if you're using a dishpan.

9. Quality and seasonal eating

Rearing animals for meat and dairy and harvesting crops like avocado at a large and unsustainable scale is incredibly water intensive. By cutting down on meat and dairy and eating seasonal vegetables you'll be helping to conserve water.

You'll also be helping to protect the climate. The meat and dairy industries are big contributors to global warming.

10. Boil what you need

Save water, money and energy by only boiling as many cups of water as you need.

11. Steam your veggies

Steam your food to cut water usage and retain more of the natural nutrients.

If you do boil, try using the leftover water as a tasty stock for soups. Or let it cool and use it to water plants.

12. Be plumbing prepared

Regularly check your kitchen pipes and the dishwasher hose for slow leaks.

Find out where your water shut off valve is and make sure that you can turn it on and off. You'll thank us if you ever have a burst pipe, because you'll be able to cut off the flow before it floods the house.