PETALING JAYA: With the spectre of dry taps and water rationing looming over millions of Malaysians this dry season, one question comes to mind - what can we do to play our part in saving water? The Star Online asked netizens for their best water-saving tips, and came back with these:
1. Reduce water pressure at timed intervals in public places to raise awareness.
This suggestion came from Mesh Mesh through Facebook, who said awareness for the need for water conservation could be created by reducing the water pressure at schools, colleges, work places or shopping malls through a timer or water-pressure based system, "instead of giving 100% flow of water."
2. Wash your car less - or not at all.
User Samaneri Paramacari commented on The Star Online's Facebook page: "Do not wash your car, please! Human beings and animals need water more than these feeling-less gadgets," she said.
3. Take quick showers
Another suggestion from Mesh Mesh, who said "Bathe once a day and have a quick bath instead of singing/dancing/partying while having a bath and spending 45 minutes showering."
Another netizen, Jimmy Yap said that if one has to have multiple baths a day, have one complete bath and use a minimum amount of water for the others.
4. Wash all your dirty dishes in one go
According to Samaneri, one can save water by washing plates and kitchen utensils in one go, using two big basins of clean water.
"Wipe any left-over food or stains away before dipping the used utensils into the first basin; put them into the second basin for a final cleaning," she said.
5. Do not use running water for washing
Samaneri also suggested not to washing clothes or kitchen towels under running water.
"Instead, soak them in in a small bucket with soap powder and just enough water to cover them. Wash them once they are well soaked," she said.
An online search by The Star Online for water conservation tips yielded another five drops of wisdom from New York-based Grace Communication Foundation.
The Foundation, which develops "innovative strategies to increase public awareness of the critical environmental and public health issues created by our current food, water and energy systems", had among others the following strategies on their website, www.gracelinks.org.
6. Catch warming-up water
Put a bucket in the shower while you're waiting for the water to warm up, and use the water you catch for watering plants or cleaning.
7. Throw, don't flush
Don’t flush things down the toilet to dispose of them. Throw away tissues and other bathroom waste in the garbage can, which doesn't require gallons of water.
8. Wash full loads only
Only use your washing machine when it’s completely full.
9. Water, not flood your plants
Before watering your plants, check the soil in the pot with your finger first. If it's damp. it doesn't need any watering! Water only if the soil feels dry and hard.
10. Boil only what you need
Boil food in as little water as possible to save water and energy. You only need to submerge your pasta and potatoes, for example. Also, with less water, you keep more flavour and nutrients in your veggies.
by tan yi liang, thestar.com.my
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