24th Oct 2012

Thank you to all parents who took part in our recent water survey. Over 200 surveys were returned and all results are on show in the school  hall on our green notice board.

Our water team are doing a great job of turning off the taps and checking for leaks in our school each day, so here are some water saving tips for you to try at home

    

1.Check taps and pipes for leaks
A small drip from a tap can waste 20 litres of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of litres.

2. Check your toilets for leaks
Put a little food colouring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the colour begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.

3. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks
Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

4. Put plastic bottles or a hippo bag in your toilet cistern
To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive 
tank bank or hippo bag. This may save ten or more litres of water per day.

5. Insulate your water pipes. 
It’s easy and inexpensive to
 insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You’ll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

6. Take shorter showers.
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 40-60 litres of water.

7. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing

8. Rinse your razor in the sink
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.

9.Use your dishwasher and washing machine for only full loads
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. 


10. When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a saucepanful of hot water. 

11. Don’t let the tap run while you clean vegetables
Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a saucepan of clean water.

12. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.
Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful.

13. Don’t run the hose while washing your car
Clean the car using a bucket of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing – this simple practice can save as much as 200 litres when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle when rinsing for more efficient use of water.

14. Use a brush, not a hose, to clean driveways and paths 

15. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses and taps
Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they’re not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Use hose washers at spigots and hose connections to eliminate leaks.

Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water-saving methods around the home which can make a big difference.

I hope you find these useful and that they will help save water and money in your home!

 

2 comments on “Water Saving Tips!

  1. Tracey Whyte on said:

    Dear Sir/Madam.

    I am currently building a INTO course for teachers and I would like to include this link https://www.scoilmhuire.ie/index.php/water-saving-tips/ in the classroom links for teachers if we have your permission please?

    • Scoil Mhuire on said:

      Hi Tracey,

      I could not find your link included in your message.
      Also, in order to contact the office please use the contact form on the homepage rather than leaving a comment on a webpage as these comments are only checked sporadically. Alternatively you could email: office@scoilmhuire.ie

      Thanks