The concept of environmental education was born in the Stockholm Declaration in 1972 and, since then, World Environmental Education Day has been celebrated on January 26. On this important date, at LIFE RESEAU we want to remember that adequate environmental education must pursue the optimal and responsible use of resources, especially those that, such as drinking water, are scarce.  

In fact, many water resources are at risk due to lack of rainfall or due to the management of available resources, which has generated a decrease in the flow of rivers and aquifers, affecting ecosystems and people. Given this situation, it is essential to adopt measures to reduce water consumption in homes, as well as promote the use of devices and encourage habits that save water. 

A scarce resource 

According to a recent report by the European Environment Agency, each household consumes an average of 265 litres of water per day per inhabitant. It seems like a very high figure, but it makes more sense if we consider the following data: 

If washing clothes consumes 60 to 100 L of water, cleaning the home can involve an additional 15 to 40 L. Washing dishes requires a consumption of 100 L, while with a dishwasher the figure can go down to 18. A shower ranges between 35 and 70 L, while opting for a bathroom can involve the use of up to 200 L; and even watering the plants can involve the consumption of another additional 15 L. 

Likewise, pollution is one of the causes of climate change, and that is why it is important to reduce our individual contribution, and although we do not usually ask ourselves where all the effluents we generate end up, the sustainability of sanitation networks, which are equipment strategic in health policies, is closely linked to the well-being of society and the health of the environment that surrounds us. 

10 tips for responsible use of water 

By carrying out small daily actions we can create habits that result in our consumption and lifestyle being allies to conserve a vital resource such as water. Below, there are 10 habits, devices or products that can help us to be more aware of the impact that our actions have on the environment, and to reduce our water footprint: 

1. Avoid throwing objects such as wet wipes, cigarette butts or cotton swabs down the drain. Their composition includes microfibers and microplastics that are highly polluting, making their degradation in water almost impossible. Therefore, they can clog pipes and ducts in purification systems, complicating waste management. 
2. Do not throw oils, fats or organic remains, such as coffee residue, down the drain. They contribute to clogging and can cause bad odours, environmental risks, mildew formation and structural damage. 
3. Use water efficiently and responsibly by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth or wash the dishes, saving up to 6 L/minute; or waiting for the load of your washing machine or dishwasher to be complete before starting the wash. 
4. Install rainwater collection systems to use it for tasks where it is not necessary for the water used to be potable, such as watering plants or cleaning, thus freeing up capacity in the drainage network. And, as for watering, wait until the sun goes down, because you will avoid wasting up to 30% due to evaporation.  
5. Use biodegradable detergents in the washing machine. 
6. Reduce the use of bleach to mop the floor. 
7. Choose appliances with water efficiency certification to reduce water consumption in daily activities. Its lower consumption of water and electricity will be reflected both in your electricity bill and in the environment.  
8. Place grates in the drains to prevent the passage of hair, food remains, etc. through the drains. 
9. Use aerators on faucets. Thanks to these small devices that are screwed onto the tap, it is possible to reduce the output flow which, when mixed with air, will not imply a reduction in pressure that is noticeable or uncomfortable. 
10. Choose to install double-button cisterns to use the right amount of water depending on the need. 

Some of the recommendations presented have a direct impact on the sewer networks, on which we act at LIFE RESEAU. But, in general, better water consumption habits positively affect sewer networks management. That is to say, the sum of our individual contributions, together with the work carried out in initiatives such as LIFE RESEAU, can make a difference and contribute to increasing the resilience of urban wastewater infrastructures and networks.