Water Ways - How I save on water

by Dvora Daisy
(Kent, UK)

Water bucket

Save on hot water - catch your shower water in a bucket and use it later for laundry, handwashing, watering potted plants, prerinsing dishes, and so on.

I only run my shower once or twice a week and when I do, I can fill a bucket of water until the hot comes through. I don't have a garden to water but I use this water in several ways: for my hand-washed laundry and washing my hands, and for washing up, washing fruit/veg. I keep a bucket in the bathroom and the kitchen and jug it out as I need it. I use the water I've washed my hands or fruit/veg with to rinse the worst off my dirty crockery and cutlery so when it comes to washing up properly I don't need much clean hot water. I heat a couple of jugs of water in a saucepan on low gas, and jug in a bit of cold as needed (my washing up bowl is only ever about 1/4 to 1/3 full). I also use a homemade washing up liquid using soda crystals, distilled white vinegar and tea tree oil. I've no idea how much I'm saving in terms of energy or money but friends can't believe how low my bills are.

I also only flush when really necessary.

I only boil as much water as I need in the kettle - if I put too much in I pour it into the bucket. If there's any hot left over I use it to rinse something or it gets poured in the bucket to be used again so I'm always boiling fresh water without wasting anything).

Any water poured for drinking that doesn't get drunk goes in the bucket.

I often use a hot water bottle to save on heating, and I keep reusing the same water by heating it up in a saucepan.

It works for me ~ happy saving :o)

(Above photo courtesy seeks2dream, via FLICKR)

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