August's theme is WATER – a fitting choice, since the building we inhabit was once a pumping station that served the whole of Worcester – also, World Water Week runs from the 27th August to the 1st September this year.
Water is the ultimate renewable resource: after you use it, it evaporates into the air and will fall as rain again. So why is it so important for us to reduce our consumption?
Check out the infographic for the lowdown on why it's important to use water wisely.
Water is global
Around 10% of the world's population do not have access to clean, safe water.Water is local
Every day, about three million litres of water are lost through leaky pipes.Water is politics
By 2025, more than half the world's nations will face freshwater shortages.Water is ... life
Water is a 'universal solvent', absolutely essential to all living things.How much water?
According to Waterwise UK, every person in the UK uses about 150 litres of water a day.
But take into account the water used to produce the food you consume and products you buy – known as embedded water – the figure rises to 3,400 litres per day per person! In certain parts of the world, where rainfall is not sufficient to supply farms producing food, farmers pump water from underground or from far away, to irrigate their crops.
What can we do to use less water?
Turn off the tap!
How can you save water?
Here at the Pump House, we collect rainwater in a large tank (which you can visit at the top of the stairs), and we have special water-saving taps and toilet flushes. But what can YOU do??
- Use a bowl for washing up or for peeling vegetables, instead of running the tap.
- Turn the tap off whilst cleaning your teeth.
- Put the plug in the sink whilst washing and shaving, instead of running the tap.
- If you have the choice, shower rather than bath (an aerating shower head can save 75% of the water).
- Get a water meter fitted (for free).
- Place a brick or a full one litre bottle of water in the toilet cistern –or order a "Water Hog" from Severn Trent Water.
- Repair dripping taps quickly.
- Use a water butt to collect and save the water falling on your roof, and use the water to water your garden.
– text adapted from "Water Efficiency" by Worcester City Council.
FOR MORE IDEAS AND INFORMATION, follow these links:
"Saving Water" – a document from Severn Trent Water.
Infographic from Waterwise UK.