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Water scarcity is a growing issue around the world, and for many Australians, drought is an issue that we don’t feel daily. Having constant access to fresh drinking water means it is a precious resource that is often taken for granted, however, due to climate change, population growth, and inefficient use, there may be a future where that is no longer the case. As individuals and businesses, it is our responsibility to be mindful of our water footprint to implement ways to reduce water usage wherever possible.
We will be exploring our water footprint, why we should reduce it, and how to decrease water usage and consumption both at home and in the workplace with water-saving strategies and water-saving techniques.
Our water footprint is the amount of freshwater we consume as individuals, as communities, and as businesses. Australia is the driest inhabited continent, which is why we must secure our water future. Public awareness, infrastructure investment, and innovation are key, but conservation is perhaps the most important consideration for our water footprint.
Every action we take, from pouring a glass of water, to showering, flushing a toilet, or watering our lawn contributes to our water footprint. Whilst seemingly insignificant individually, our actions and use of water collectively impact the global water supply. Water is an abundant resource, but clean drinking water, however, is in much shorter supply. By using less water, we not only ensure its availability for future generations and ecosystems, but we save energy, too. Water extraction and treatment processes consume energy and lowering our usage means less energy is wasted. Whilst the Sydney Desalinisation Plant, for example, is powered entirely by renewable energy, not all are, so conserving water and electricity go hand-in-hand.
In addition to promoting sustainability for our water supply and in general, reducing our water footprint with lower water consumption also means reduced water bills, which is especially important amidst a cost-of-living crisis.
Whilst implementing water-saving strategies at home isn’t as simple as just turning the tap off, it can be easier than you think to reduce water consumption at home with easy-to-implement tips for saving water. A quarter of all water used at home is in the shower, and reducing the time we spend in the shower to four minutes can make a substantial shower. For instance, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving are just small steps that can be taken. Elsewhere around the house, being water conscious is as easy as just waiting for the dishwasher or the washing machine to be full to run it.
Outside, the impact of sprinkler systems and watering your garden can be reduced by doing so early in the morning or later in the evening to minimise evaporation. Bore water and collecting rainwater are other ways that you can conserve water for outdoor purposes.
Finally, if your water usage looks higher than normal, you may leak. Whether it’s a leaky tap, toilet, or hose, even a small drip can add up over time. By fixing leaky faucets and other leaks promptly, you can save a lot of water - and money - over a year.
Just as conserving water at home is our responsibility, businesses also play a crucial role in reducing water usage. Installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances in bathrooms and kitchens are small steps that can be taken, and if you have the space to do so, exploring water reuse options for non-potable options could be undertaken.
Perhaps most important is education on water conservation. One person’s actions won’t change the world, but collective action can. Encouraging team members to conserve water is a positive step, and this can be reinforced by rewarding those who conserve water through prizes or rewards.
By questioning how can we reduce water usage and understanding the importance of water conservation, we can make a significant difference for our generation and future generations. Investing in a water meter to track your water usage and how you can improve wastage can help you save more water at home and in the workplace.
To learn more about water conservation, how you can track your water usage, and how we help communities save water, get in touch with us today.
At Altogether, we deliver reliable, localised essential services to over 400 communities across Australia. From world-leading recycled water systems to efficient embedded energy networks in high-rise communities, and smart grids in small communities, we're determined to do the right thing by our customers, and by the planet. As a multi-utility service provider, it’s our mission to make the world a brighter place, and we do that by offering sustainable power, water and data services.
