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Water Saving
Water consumption varies.
In the USA, for example, each person uses an average of over 500 litres per day.
In Europe, the amount is between 150 and 300 litres per day.
Demand for water has tripled over the past 50 years.
Even in countries with high rainfall, like the UK, this results in shortages.
Even though water used in the home is only 10% of the water taken from rivers and wells,
there are simple ways in which we can save or re-use water.
Modern “low flow” taps like this have a 2-click movement.
The first click restricts the flow to 2.5 litres a minute.
The second increases the flow to 5 litres a minute.
The flow of water is also aerated, so although the feel and the cleaning effect
is the same when you’re washing your hands, less water is wasted.
Dual flush toilets are also becoming common.
This intuitive design has a small button for a short flush, a larger button for a full flush.
This requires a special cistern but will save up to two thirds of the water used in the toilet.
Even so, water used in toilets is generally “white” water -
in other words water purified to drinking standards. This is not necessary.
“Grey” water is quite adequate for this purpose. Grey water can be re-used water from a bath or washing machine.
It can also be rainwater collected from the roof. At these flats in Ostia,
water from the roof and balconies is collected in an underground tank and used for the plants.
Grey water must have a separate pipe network. In this garden in Rome,
we find an outlet for grey water for watering plants, which is collected, purified and
distributed through a centralised system serving the whole development.