Practical tips for saving water in everyday life

In the bathroom

• Prefer a shower to a bath. Filling a bathtub uses about 150 litres of water, while an average shower uses only about 36 litres. The recommended time spent in the shower is 3–5 minutes.
• Turn off the shower while soaping and shampooing. This helps avoid unnecessary water use when you are not actively using the water.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Each time, you save more than 10 litres of water. A family of four can save up to 100 litres of water per day this way.
• Use the small flush button on the toilet whenever possible. Dual-flush toilets use 3–5 litres of water, whereas older models can use up to 9 litres per flush.

In the kitchen

• Keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge so you don’t have to let the tap run until the water gets cold. Up to 6 litres of water can flow from the tap in one minute.
• Wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water. The remaining water can later be used, for example, to water plants.
• Do not rinse dishes under running water. Instead, fill the sink with water and wash the dishes there.

When using household appliances

• Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when it is full. A half-empty machine uses the same amount of water as a full one.
• Use the economy or eco mode whenever possible – this saves both water and electricity.
• Newer household appliances are much more water-efficient. When it’s time to replace an appliance, choose an energy-efficient model.

Detecting leaks

• Check taps and plumbing regularly. A dripping tap can waste up to 55 litres of water per day, or more than 20,000 litres per year.

In the garden and outside the home

• Use rainwater instead of tap water for watering plants. A rainwater tank is ideal for this purpose.
• Water plants in the evening or early morning to reduce water evaporation in the sun.
• Wash your car at a car wash rather than at home – car washes generally use much less water than washing a car in the yard.
• Avoid watering the lawn during hot weather – grass often tolerates drought better than it may seem at first glance.