b'words: Mary Searletips and tricks picture: courtesy of Dreamstimewater, water,everywhereIts easy to think that we have an unlimited resource of fresh water, but this is not the case. Increasingly, urban areas are facing water shortages. Fortunately, reducing your demand for water is easy.Our lifestyle is synonymous with pure water. We haveall adds up in dollars and cents. And not just on your mile upon mile of pristine beaches, tranquil lakes andwater bill, either: With everyone using a little less water, rushing rivers. Plenty of the stuff falls from the sky at thiscouncils save on wear and tear on their treatment plants, time of the year, too. However, as pure water becomespumps and pipes, and can delay building new dams.scarce around the world, we need to think about waterAt home, bathrooms and toilets use the most water, so resources for future generations. its here we can expect to make the most savings. Mains While our access to fresh water is enviable, there arepressure delivers between six and 24 litres of water a minute, regions in the country where, in the drier months, demandyet research shows that nine litres a minute is perfectly outstripssupply.Waterisrequiredbymanydifferentsuf cient. To save water, simply dont turn the tap on fully, sectorshouseholds,agriculture,hydro-electricityor you can installow restrictors or low- owttings. Dont generators and tourismand its hard to judge whoseconfusewith pressure, thoughyou can still haveow needs are greater. fantastic water pressure while using less water.Given that, here are a few simple tips to help you saveThe average shower is about 12 minutes long. Shorten your water around the home. And, as many councils chargeshower to eight minutes and youll save thousands of litres forwateruse,savingwatershouldalsomeansavingof water a year. And, as it takes about 150 litres of water to Resene money. Mulching the garden and taking shorter showers Subzero ll your bath, opt for the shorter shower as often as possible 72 |'