You’re a surfer, and water is important to you. Not just the waves you ride, but the fresh water that we all drink. According to the United Nations, one in three people live without safe drinking water, and it is predicted that by 2050 up to six billion people will be living in areas where water is scarce for at least one month of the year.
March 22, 2022, marks World Water Day, and it is observed to increase awareness about the importance of fresh water and the need to conserve it. The day is all about taking action to fight against the global water crisis. The main focus is to support the idea of sustainable development with water and sanitation for all by 2030. The fact is, due to increasing temperatures and a growing population, the world is facing a water scarcity.
Ultimately it’s all about the importance of fresh water and the need to conserve it. So it’s pretty obvious that it’s crucial to use water wisely, and every individual can contribute to the cause.
As surfers, we know how important this issue is. We drink fresh water, we bathe in it and we ride its ocean cousin. So here are some basic reminders on what we can do to save our irreplaceable natural resource.
Avoid wastage
It seems too obvious to state, but the idea of not wasting water is central. Many of us have become lazy – so start thinking about turning off that tap while you brush your teeth, shave those delicate parts or wash your hands. And when you're at the sink – don’t run the tap when you’re scrubbing dishes. Every little bit counts.
The same idea extends to showers, especially at the beach. Post surf, get a shower, but make sure that the tap is turned off when you’re finished. And if you see someone who hasn’t done that, no need for drama, just turn it off for them.
Reuse wastewater
Again it seems obvious to state, but we can all improve the way we reuse water that would otherwise be wasted. Reusing wastewater in your home can save on water use and reduce the use of clean drinking water for uses such as gardens and toilets.
Things you can do include capturing the water you used for washing the vegetables and reusing it to water plants. Using a bucket to capture water in the shower whilst you're waiting for it to warm up, and where you can use a rain barrel to capture the water run off from your roof.
Check for leaks
This not only saves on your water bill but is also essential to reducing water wastage. It’s very important to regularly check the pipes for leakage and get them fixed if they’re broken. If your water comes directly from a well, this could also save you money and time on replacing those overworked water pumps.
Don’t be a garden god
You love your plants, but more than that you love to stand out there and water them. It makes you calm. But think about it – do you really need to waste our most precious resource on things that will grow quite happily on their own? Think about the water consumption when you’re enjoying watering your garden. It’s no secret that hose pipes are the first restriction imposed by authorities when the droughts come.
TOP TIP: When cleaning outside, where you can try using a broom instead of a hose.
Watch your laundry
This is a big one. You should only do your laundry when you have enough for a full load. Washing those rashies and boardshorts on their own in a tub of water in the machine just doesn’t make sense. So make sure you fill it up with other laundry items first, then wash. And as a bonus you’ll also save a heap.
Water covers 70% of our planet, and it is easy to think that it will always be plentiful. However, freshwater – the stuff we drink, bathe in, irrigate our fields with – is incredibly rare. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use.
So let’s work together to raise awareness of water scarcity so we can all benefit.
For more tips on how to reduce your water wastage around your home, visit yourhome.gov.au/water/reducing-water-use or worldwaterday.org/learn.
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