Water

Save Water, One Drop at a Time

Water drop
Water drop, ripple effect over the water surface PickPik

Hear this. By 2025, two-thirds of the world's population will face water shortages. Damn.

Water is essential for all life on Earth, from our ecosystems to the creatures that inhabit them, including us. While our planet is 70% water, freshwater makes up a mere 3% of this precious resource, with only 0.03% being drinkable, some of it ends up being 60% of our bodies. Shockingly, over one billion people lack access to clean water, leading to sanitation issues and disease, exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of droughts and heatwaves. The World Wildlife Fund warns that by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population could face water scarcity.

Nature bears the brunt of this crisis, with more than half of the world's wetlands vanishing, and other water sources becoming increasingly polluted. It's easy to take water for granted when it flows from our taps, but the reality is far from infinite.

Showering - did you know that it uses 80 litres of water?

Even though water is a precious resource, we consume it at an alarming rate. The average European uses over 100 litres of water daily, driven by population growth and economic activities. Contrary to what it should, the demand of water is growing. Astonishingly, it takes 2700 litres of water to make just one T-shirt, the same amount required to produce our food. Household appliances also contribute to water consumption; a single shower uses 80 litres of water, and leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth wastes 12 litres.

Unfortunately, almost every aspect of our lives negatively impacts water, and since all life on Earth relies on it, it's vital to minimize this impact. But how can we do that?

Of course, Iknyte!

Awareness of our water consumption and its impact is key. Fortunately, simple solutions can help reduce our water usage. One effective approach is capturing rainwater. Think about the amount of water during a storm—this water often goes to waste, but it can be a valuable resource! Even in areas with irregular rainfall, capturing rainwater can build resilience by ensuring water availability during dry periods. This water can be filtered for drinking or used for everyday purposes like showers, washing, and flushing toilets, saving an impressive amount of water. Imagine!

Youtube - Brilliant trick, from the plumber! Put a plastic bottle in the toilet! 

Another solution is reusing wastewater, a bit more complex but still effective. Wastewater from flushing toilets, showers, and more typically ends up in treatment plants, contributing to air pollution and requiring substantial energy for purification. Reusing wastewater at home conserves energy and reduces pollution. At Iknyte, we share innovative ways to use wastewater for gardening, watering plants, and flushing toilets, especially for less critical tasks that don't require much water quality.

Furthermore, you can find clever, straightforward ways to reduce water consumption at home. For example, using a plastic bottle and a few stones can save up to 45 litres of water daily. Discover more innovative methods to conserve water and explore practical sustainable solutions at Iknyte.

Much more!

Do you have innovative and practical ways to reduce water usage or maximize your water resources? We'd love to hear from you and share your solutions on Iknyte to support the preservation of our wetlands and a sustainable future. Contribute your ideas here or get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or [email protected].

 

This article was updated on 30 September 2023

Eller Everett

Eller Everett

Hi everyone! 

I am a PhD researcher focused on developing sustainable development strategies in companies using permaculture. I have been working on social impact and sustainability projects around the world for over nine years and I do sustainable development consultancy using concepts such as the circular economy and permaculture to maximise social impact, sustainability and innovation. 

In 2015 I was volunteering in a children’s home in Malawi and, with the aim to create long lasting impact I taught the foster mothers how to make a solar cooker. I realised that, there are so many amazing sustainable solutions around the world but many people don’t know about them or where to find them. This is why I cofounded Iknyte, to create a platform with practical sustainable solutions created by people all around the world and made accessible to everyone everywhere. 

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