Droichead Nua or Newbridge
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Conservation of Water
Although we often bemoan the Irish Climate, where rain is generally fairly plentiful all year round, fresh water is not an infinite resource, indeed it is said that usable fresh water accounts for 0. 30 % of total water resources on our planet (most of our water 97% is saline or seawater which is not suitable for drinking). As our population increases so does the pressure on our fresh water supplies, this can result in increases amounts of water being extracted from our vegetables - instead of letting the tap run.
Very soon the Irish Government will be introducing Water Charges, and when these are introduced, people will have a reason to find ways of reducing their water consumption. Hopefully the funds raised will initially be allocated towards repairing / replacing the ageing network of water pipes which by all accounts are leaking a significant amount of water into the ground. .
However why wait until the Government introduce Water Charges, the time has come to conserve water.
Very soon the Irish Government will be introducing Water Charges, and when these are introduced, people will have a reason to find ways of reducing their water consumption. Hopefully the funds raised will initially be allocated towards repairing / replacing the ageing network of water pipes which by all accounts are leaking a significant amount of water into the ground. .
However why wait until the Government introduce Water Charges, the time has come to conserve water.
SO HOW CAN YOU CONSERVE WATER
Conservation of water in the HOME
- Cold Drinking Water:
Keep a jug of water in the fridge. Instead of letting the tap run for cold water, fill a jug of water and keep it in the fridge.
- Leaking Taps and Pipes:
Leaking taps and pipes can cause problems in the home, so as soon as you find a leak fix it yourself or call a plumber to address the problem. Leaks are most common in worn tap fittings, toilet cisterns and radiator connections, you are more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor taps and hoses for leaks.
- Hot Drinks:
Fill the kettle with enough for your needs, not to the brim. You'll save money, electricity and conserve water.
- Preparing Food:
When washing your fruits and vegetables wash them in a basin / bowl of water instead of running water from the tap, you can then use this water to water houseplants.
- Washing the Car:
Use a bucket of water and a sponge, if you use a hose you will use 9 litres of water per minute. Alternatively use a commercial car wash that recycles water
- In the Garden:
Lawns don't need to be hosed, if you use good mulch on your flowerbeds (try composting your kitchen and garden waste for the best home-made mulch and compost) this will significantly reduce the “need” for watering, if watering refrain from using a hose, use a traditional watering can!. Collect Rainwater in your garden, by harvesting water from your gutter downpipe for use as a source of watering flowers.
- Household Appliances:
Use your Washing Machine and Dishwasher only when they are full. You'll save money, electricity and conserve water.
- Personal Hygiene:
Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving. A Shower can use less water than a bath (depending on the time spent in the shower) and use a water-efficient showerhead. However when running a bath, insert the plug before turning the water on, and then adjust the temperature as the bath fills up.
- Water Charges:
When the Water Charges are introduced, monitor your water bill and water meter for unusually high use, your water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
- Insulation:
Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the Tap and for energy savings.
Conservation of water in the COMMUNITY
- Schools:
Encourage your local schools to develop and promote water conservation within the school, and encourage conservation among children and the school adult community.
- Report Leaks:
Report broken pipes, leaks, open hydrants to the Local Authority.
- The Mains Supply:
Do you know how to turn off your water supply, both internally and externally? Do you have the tool required to cut off water to your house in the case of an emergency? (If not its available in your local hardware store). Knowing where your master water shut-off valve is located could save water and prevent damage to your home in the event of a burst pipe.
Conservation of water at WORK
All businesses must pay water charges to their local authority, therefore it is in the interest of business in general to reduce and control the amount of water being used.
- Manage Water Usage:
Develop a water management plan for your factory or office, ensuring that all staff are aware of the need for water conservation
- New Equipment:
When purchasing new machinery or equipment know which models conserve energy and water, where possible replace worn out or broken equipment with systems that use water efficiently.
- Cleaning:
Water used in general cleaning can be as much as 10% of all water used in some work places. Devise measures to reduce the excessive need, do you need to wash floors or would sweeping / vacuuming suffice?
- Toilets:
Many offices and factories have “automatic flushing cisterns, which operate through the night and on weekends when there are no employees present. These can be replaced by modern flushing systems which “operate as required”, Business could consider turning off all unnecessary cisterns when not required.
- Fittings:
Many modern fittings tend to assist in the effort to conserve water, for example by using “tap aerators”; the usage from the tap can be halved.
- Reporting a Leak:
Ensure that a reporting procedure for leakage and water losses in the workplace is in operation, and that action is taken on any reports of wastage or leakage is acted upon.
- Cooling:
Many industrial processes use water as a coolant; can the water be contained in a closed system, and reused rather than left to run off to the storm drain or sewer?
- Canteen:
Turn off any unnecessary flows and equipment when not in use, ensure water pressures and flows are set at minimum required settings, and boilers etc are set to cut off when not in use.
- Reward Conservation:
Consider rewarding employees who come up with water conservation suggestions.
Taptips
Enfo - The Environmental Information Service
Water is precious. Let's conserve it.
Recycling in Newbridge - Composting in the Garden - Conserving Energy in The Home - Conservation of Water - Recycling Electrical / Electronic Equipment WEEE - Recycle - Repak & Rehab - Recycling Survey 2008 - Newbridge - Report Leaks:
- Leaking Taps and Pipes:
