With climate change, water scarcity is becoming a growing global issue. We can all make a huge difference by simply using less water — benefits the environment and saves money. Here are a few ways to conserve water in the kitchen without sacrificing convenience.
Use a smaller sink
Large sinks are water wasters. Using a smaller sink will help you save litres of water with every wash. You can also place a smaller bowl inside the sink for washing dishes or cleaning vegetables, for example.
Collect water
We usually let water flow from the tap while waiting for the hot water to reach the desired temperature. Collect it in a mug or jug and store it in the fridge. You can later use it as cooking water or as a cool drink.
Invest in a dishwasher.
It might surprise you, but a dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand in the sink. Manual washing easily uses around 15 litres, while a modern dishwasher uses only about 12 litres. Using the eco-setting available on most dishwashers reduces water consumption to about 9 litres per wash cycle. Another tip is to run the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded.
Get a tap with a water-saving aerator.
An aerator or flow regulator is the nozzle of the tap. Instead of a single stream, it allows water to flow through multiple small holes, producing a broad jet. Modern aerators mix the outflowing water with air, creating a fuller flow. This results in up to 50% water savings while maintaining the same strong flow.
You can also replace the aerator on an existing tap with a new water-saving one. Unscrew the old aerator clockwise from the tap. Some taps have the aerator screwed inside, while others have it on the outside. If you can’t do it by hand, use pliers, but place a tea towel between the pliers and the aerator to prevent damage.
Once you’ve removed the aerator from the tap, measure its diameter with a caliper or ruler. You can find a water-saving aerator with the same diameter and thread (either internal or external) at a hardware store or specialist shop.
