Water at home: a guide to saving water

From the aerator to turning off the faucet while soaping up. From reusing the water used to cook pasta to rediscovering the ancient practice of soaking. Here's a simple and clear set of ten rules that can help us all save a lot of water at home. Every day.

Jet breaker

Apply a jet breaker (also commonly called a flow reducer, aerator, diffuser or flow reducer) to the tap, in this way the water jet is enriched with aeration and a reduction in consumption of 30% to 40% is achieved (up to 2.000 litres per person per year can be saved).

Less water in the tray

Reduce the amount of water in the trayBy inserting a space-saving object (such as a water bottle), taking care not to obstruct the float and flush mechanism. If you use a 1,5-liter bottle and consider that the average person flushes at least three times a day, you can save approximately 1.650 liters per person per year.

Water system inspection

Check your home water systems for leaks, turning off all the taps and checking that the meter isn't turning. A dripping tap wastes 4.000 liters a year, a leaking toilet wastes over 30.000 liters a year.

Turn off the tap

Turn off the tap when soaping your hands, brush your teeth, shave your beard or shampoo your shampoo, in this way you can save between 2.000 and 2.500 liters per person per year.

Prefer the shower

Take a shower instead of a bathBy turning off the faucet when soaping up and not taking more than 5 minutes, you can save up to 70-75% water and energy (to heat the water). Installing a flow reducer in the shower head will further enhance the environmental benefits (reducing carbon dioxide emissions).

Washing machine and dishwasher at full load

Use the washing machine and the dishwasher fully loaded and selecting low wash temperatures, this way you can save up to 2.500 liters of water per person per year and energy. If you purchase energy-efficient appliances, the benefits, including for the environment (reduction of carbon dioxide emissions), will be even greater.

Soak fruit and vegetables in water

Wash fruit and vegetables not under running water but by leaving them to soak in a container and adding a pinch of bicarbonate, this way you can save a few thousand liters of water a year.

Wash pots and pans by leaving them to soak

Wash pots and dishes by leaving them to soak in the sink and using running water only for rinsing can save thousands of liters of water a year. Soaking pots and pans in pasta or potato cooking water (which has excellent degreasing properties) will further enhance the environmental benefits (reducing detergent consumption).

Use cold water first

Perform operations requiring cold water first (brushing your teeth) and then those that require hot water (shaving your beard) and collecting the water that is left to run while waiting for it to become hot, to use it later for cleaning the house.

Water in the evening with rainwater

Always water potted plants or the garden in the evening using rainwater, the water used for washing vegetables, the water used to cook pasta or vegetables, can save up to 6.000 liters of water a year. Placing dry leaves around plants or trees to retain soil moisture will further enhance the benefits.

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