World Water Day

Fresh water is a hot otpic at the moment, in New Zealand we’re battling for rights to our fresh water and worldwide we’re in the midst of a global water crisis. Fresh water is something that we all take for granted until you hear the facts. Like, that for almost 1 billion people in the world, fresh water is scarce.

World Water Day is held every 22^nd of March to remind us of the important of keeping this essential

This year’s theme: Why waste water?

While, typically when we think about the importance of water for people everywhere, we are thinking about the ability to access clean, fresh drinking water.

This year’s theme for World Water Day, however, is something equally as important, but a topic not as often brought to mind: wastewater.

Wastewater is the runoff from our homes, industry and agriculture that is often full of chemical pollutants which then leach back into the soil, causing environment damage and rendering the earth infertile. This contaminated water run-off is referred to as wastewater.

Wastewater can be treated so that it is useful again, from our homes to water our gardens in the form of greywater, and in industrial uses for solutions like irrigation.

Around the world, presently, only 20% wastewater is treated or reused, a statistic that we can help to turn out.

How can I help?

While you might feel helpless when it comes to the plight of the world, there are certain steps that you can start following to help reduce water wastage. This precious resource can benefit directly from what you do at home and the effect that you can have on others when it comes to informing them how to recycle water.

• Install a greywater system in your home to reuse the water from your kitchen, laundry, and bathroom – this also helps to reduce your water bill!

Read this re-using greywater guide from Smarter Homes for more information.

• Plant natives in your garden

While many non-native plants will require extensive watering, native gardens are generally hardy, do not require much upkeep, or watering. Browse the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network’s list of natives for ideas.

• Get a rainwater tank

A rainwater tank in your backyard can save the rain for your home use, instead of simply giving the ground a thorough drenching each time that it rains. There of plenty of tank suppliers and installers to choose from around the country.

• Spread the word

The more people that are recycling water, the better off our planet is! Let your friends and family know just how easy it is to recycle at home.