K E Ranganathan
While the country is blessed with some of the largest river systems in the world, water scarcity is fast becoming India’s number one woe. The increasing need of water due to the growing population has resulted in the decline of per capita availability of fresh water sharply from 3,000 cubic meters to 1,123 cubic meters over the past 50 years. In urban areas the situation is worse, as only one-third of homes have drinking water facility from a treated tap source, and only one-fifth have closed drainage connectivity. The demand of 135 litres per capita daily (lpcd) is more than three times the rural demand of 40 lpcd, and the scarcity assumes alarming proportions.
On the occasion of World Water Day, in line with the theme identified by the UN – Why Waste Water? – we too should pledge to reduce and reuse waste water in our everyday lives.
Given that water is majorly used for sanitation, smart bathrooms and toilets are the way forward to contribute to water management solutions. Advanced technology and water saving habits must be adopted. Innovative products like digital faucets, electronic toilets, and waterless urinals come with smart functionalities and latest designs, thus making them a great fit for any modern day bathroom. Water used in showers, toilets, and sinks accounts for approximately 3/4th of the water used in our daily lives, and hence bathroom is a great place to start making water conscious decisions this World Water Day.
By adopting these small changes in habits, we will not only become a water conservationist and save the planet’s most precious natural resource but also save money on the monthly water bill!
- While leisure time in the shower is much needed once in a while, spending less time bathing on a daily basis is the first step one can take to save water. For keeping track of time, keep your smartphone in the bathroom and time yourself by how many songs play while you’re in there. And to further save water and time, limit your shower time to a single song.
- Using a bucket is always better than a shower when it comes to water conservation. However, adjusting water temperature while your bucket is filling instead of waiting for it to fill and then discarding the water for it being too cold or hot, saves not only water but also your time while you are rushing to work!
- Constant tap drips can lose more gallons of water a day and should be immediately fixed. If an immediate action is not feasible, keep a bucket under it and mop the house next day using that water.
- One of the major leaks that goes unnoticed is a toilet flush leak! A quick trick to check it is by putting a dye or food colouring into the tank. In the case of a leak, the colour will appear in the bowl without flushing. Additionally, refrain from flushing things down the toilet to dispose them off. Make it a habit of throwing tissues or other waste in the garbage can, which doesn’t require gallons of water.
Adopting these habits in your daily lives goes a long way. However, if you are remodeling a bathroom, you can install water-saving technologically-advanced products. These are a few of the best technologies available in the market:
- Waterless Urinals – The automated waterless urinals have elevated hygiene standards in the ever-evolving sanitaryware industry. The flush free urinal systems work without flushing water, making them the most advanced product in the category. The products are built in such a way that they do not require any electrical power or liquid barrier for the closure of drainage that makes them versatile, thus saving two very important aspects of today’s life – water and electricity. They come with inbuilt air perfume, thus preventing the escape of smell.
- Cold Start Faucets – The revolutionary technology of digitised toilets has changed the way customers see hygiene in the bathroom space. Cold start faucet is an innovation designed for sustainability, with water and energy saving capability and zero CO2 It allows you to use cold water for daily bathroom rituals with a lever in the center. In addition to saving water, you’ll be saving energy, as it prevents the boiler from firing up when not needed.
- Washbasin & Water Closet – A never-before product in terms of design and solutions, the washbasin + water closet, is a perfect example that reflects water-reuse technology. It reuses waste water from the washbasin to fill the toilet cistern. An integration of the expression of innovation and design, it is perfect for saving water and space.
- Steam Showers instead of Water Showers – Power of steam helps keep clean and is also very water efficient. These showers use less water than traditional showers and are very relaxing to use.
- Flow Limiters & Aerators – Adding a flow limiter to a shower system allows you to achieve more sustainable water consumption without affecting comfort levels. It limits the flow of water and, additionally, boosts comfort giving the body a pleasant tingling sensation.
- Other advanced features: Additional features like dual flush WCs, low water consumption urinals, water and energy saving faucets are favoured all over the world and should be adopted by every responsible individual.
The author is managing director at Roca Bathroom Products Pvt Ltd, the makers of Roca and Parryware products.
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