Although it may seem like there is an unlimited supply of water all around us, less than 1% of the Earth’s water is suitable for our day-to-day use. The other 99% comprises our seas, is frozen in icecaps or is floating around in the atmosphere. With the average amount of water used in an Irish household yearly reaching 125,000 litres, now is the time to consider how we can conserve our finite resource and save our budgets. 

Here at Carlow Tanks, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips on how you can start saving water in your home.

Invest in a Water Tank

Save water by storing it. Water storage tanks are an ideal solution for collecting rainwater (which is certainly not in short supply in Ireland!). This water can then be used in place of potable drinking water for garden irrigation, window and vehicle washing, flushing toilets, cleaning and as drinking water for animals among many other functions. 

There are a number of different water storage tanks to consider. The first is a simple, clear water tank. This tank diverts water captured from rainfall by guttering into storage tanks. This water can then be used for showering, laundry and other household tasks. We recommend adding a small amount of chlorine to the tank to inhibit bacterial growth with the amount of chlorine required depending on tank size. Rainwater in some regions can be affected by pollutants. Installing a quality water filtration system will overcome this issue and may even make the water suitable for consumption.

A second type of water tank is a grey water tank. This tank diverts water from your drains into storage tanks. This water is not suitable for normal household use except to flush toilets. This water is instead suitable for gardening or cleaning. It should be filtered to prevent pollutants from detergents and cleaning agents in your drains affecting your plants.

If you’re interested in learning more about the types of water storage tanks and their benefits then be sure to contact us today on 059 915 9830 where our expert team will be happy to advise.

Eliminate Leaks

Fix those dripping taps and sort out those leaky pipes! Leaks are wasting water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Often an inexpensive washer is all that’s required. If a replacement pipe is required, although the cost may be higher, it really is nothing when compared to the cost of a burst pipe that floods your home. 

Regularly check your pipes for signs of wear and tear or leaking. If you suspect you may have a leak then your water meter will be an excellent guide. Check your meter, don’t use any water for a few hours and then check your meter again. If there has been any change then this indicates that you have a leak somewhere. If you suspect your toilet may be leaking then add a few drops of food colouring to the cistern. If the colouring appears in the bowl without flushing then you have a leak which could be wasting significant amounts of water.

Take a shower and time yourself!

Choose showers over baths to reduce water usage and aim for shorter showers. Shorter showers can save up to 10 litres of water a minute! Limit your showers to soaping up, washing down and rinsing off where possible.

Don’t let the water run

Simple steps add up. When brushing your teeth, shaving, preparing vegetables or rinsing dishes turn off that tap. Turning off the tap until you need it is a simple way to save water.

Full loads

When using your washing machine or dishwasher ensure you have a full load. One full load rather than numerous smaller loads will lead to great water savings.

Smarter gardening

Water plants and crops early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water evaporation. The use of mulch can also help to slow the rate of evaporation meaning you won’t need to water your plants as often.