What steps can we take to decrease the water consumption - as there is a scarcity in water level?

Here in Australia water scarcity is a really big issue - political parties are winning and losing their seats on promises to deliver water, water usage, purchase of water, remedial action to try and save our river systems, infrastructure and lastly buy-back water schemes. These same election pressures apply equally to governments who previously got into power and then didn't deliver on their pre-election promises. Voted out.

These are macro problems, however if everyone instituted an individual water saving regime the overall picture could change the grim outlook facing us all. It goes without saying that not everyone has the luxury of choice or even the luxury of being forced to conform to regimented orders; because in some places in Australia water just does not fall out of the sky. And the drought has been going on for such a long time it has had huge effects on people's health and livlihoods, both emotionally and financially. The range of people affected is enormous from farmers being forced to walk off their land - land that been in their family's care for generations - to e.g. the truck drivers who carry the produce from the farm gate to the markets; the sellers and buyers of the produce. Petrol costs have to be factored in here also. Economically the drought has touched everyone and everything. No one has escaped.

So to save water in our little corner of the universe this is what we do.

1. Reduce length of shower time.

You could use an egg timer to ensure you don't overuse your water!

If you have teenagers I guess you just have to become a water nazi!

2. Place a bucket in the shower recess and catch as much water as you can to put onto the garden.

Be careful with this one; my husband and I know of a number of people who have hurt their backs when they carry buckets that are too full and heavy.

3. Back to the showering - follow a regime - turn on taps - wet the body - turn off taps - soap up - turn taps back on.

Pretend you are enjoying the hospitality of Japan where this type of bathing is a ritual to be enjoyed.

4. Instal water savers in your shower head.

We bought this beautiful, big, wide shower head that certainly looks very flash and is most unlike any water saver I have ever seen, but is in actual fact a European water saver.

5. Install one or more exterior water tanks.

Make sure that your gutters are not damaged in any way. Holes in gutters do not help to catch any overflow.

6. Use water from tank to drink and cook with.

Often the tank water tastes much better than the local offerings from a river, that is in the process of dying or drying up.

7. Put in an overflow tank from the washing machine which then connects into a hose that can be directed into your garden.

Beware - soap suds are not a good addition to your vegetable patch.

8. Don't leave taps running without supervision - ie when cleaning your teeth or doing the dishes.

9. When buying dishwashers or washing machines check out the water/energy saving ratings.

10. When the water usage reach particular levels and the local government or council advise you how much water you may take for your garden, you need to instal automatic timers to coincide with their designated requirements.

11. Use buckets of water to wash your car - not hoses.

12. Don't hose the leaves or debris from pathways or courtyards etc.when a broom or blower will do the job.

The answer to your request comes from an Australian personal/micro level and I realise that to save water on a macro level would be a whole other ball game. I see that you live in India so your water problems may or may not be the same in nature or indeed able to be tackled in a similar manner.

copyright: a.a.gallagher 2008