Water

Water is life, so it is no surprise that sustainable living requires a sustainable water source used through sustainable methods. Not only is water necessary for basic human survival, it is necessary for so many other purposes in the modern world, such as washing, bathing, waste, and food production. It is estimated that humans already use one-quarter of the world’s total fresh water supply as it naturally circulates through the ecosystem. Because population growth is expanding every year, more and more of the world’s water supply must go toward human use. Australia is a leader in returning water back into circulation at three-quarters of all water used, according the National Water Commission. Although 65 percent of water is used for agriculture, the second-most sector of water use is individual households. Due to conservation efforts, water use in Australia has decreased by 14 percent from 2000 to 2005.

Indoor Water Use – Toilets

Indoor water use is directed to three main activities: showers, washing, and waste. It is estimated that 30 percent of indoor water is used for toilets. Standard toilets are very wasteful. A single flush uses more water than a person requires to live healthily for one day. Home water sustainability efforts often begin by improving the use of waste water. This is greatly accomplished through the simple installation of efficient low-flush toilets. Traditional toilets can use up to 18 litres per flush. A low-flush toilet can reduce this to as little as 6 litres for a water savings of 70 percent.

Instead of installing new toilets, steps can be taken to improve waste water usage through simple modification of existing toilets. One popular method is filling the tank with a large solid object to reduce the amount of water in the tank. Tank float boosters are also sold that allow the lever to be triggered sooner, stopping the flow of water to the tank early. Implementing one of these two methods can save from 3 to 5 litres of water per flush.

Indoor Water Use – Showering

Showering and bathing accounts for a lot of the water used indoors. An unrestricted shower head will use 22 to 30 litres of water per minute. The best way to reduce water usage from the shower is to install low-flow shower heads. Many people complained about early types of low-flow shower heads, but new high-performance models adequately wash and rinse the body while using much less water. Other ways to make showering more sustainable include lowering the temperature of the water and turning the water off while lathering.

Indoor Water Use – Washing

The last of the prominent ways water is used indoors is in washing dishes and clothes. To reduce water use from sink faucets, laminar flow devices can be attached that reduce the stream of water and cut water use 50 percent. Another device available is an aerator that expands the volume of the water flow while reducing the actual amount of water used. For washing clothes, front-loading washing machines have been specially designed that use less water than older top-loading basin washers.

Greywater

Greywater refers to indoor water that is used for the purposes of bathing, showering, and washing. A lot of this water is not fundamentally bad, it just contains impurities. Greywater systems filter this water and recycle it for use in toilets or outdoors where small amounts of contaminants are safe.

Outdoor Water Use – Conservation

There are two methods used outdoors in sustainable water use. One of those methods is conservation, which is the focus of controlling indoor water use. Several methods of outdoor water conservation are available. One method is to carefully select the plants used in landscaping. Drought-resistant shrubs and grasses reduce the amount of water required to care for them. In dry, arid climates, plants outside the home can be minimized through xeriscaping, which uses native species and rocks instead of traditional lawn grasses and shrubs. Another method of conserving water is in the appropriate use of mulch or other natural materials that can absorb and hold water for longer periods of time than the soil. Mulch also reduces water runoff.

Outdoor Water Use – Sequestering

The second method used for outdoor water sustainability is sequestering, which is sometimes referred to as water harvesting. At its most basic, sequestering is simply collecting and storing rainwater. Special collection tanks and rooftop collection systems are often employed in sequestering efforts. If anything, a simple barrel can be set under drain spouts to collect water that can be used for watering landscaping plants and gardens.