The best tips for saving water at home and in your community of neighbours

Everyone knows that water is a precious resource and that we must use it responsibly and with the immediate future in mind. That is why in this article we propose some tips to save water at home and in your community of neighbours, with which to achieve a more efficient consumption in both cases.

In Meridional we are very concerned about this period of drought that we are going through and that is why we want to contribute by publishing these tips that we understand to be very useful for the communities that we manage and for the owners who live in them.

If you notice any water leaks in your community, please contact your president so that we can be notified as soon as possible and act quickly. The priority is always to save water both in your home and in the communal areas of the community where you live, whether it is the swimming pool, bathrooms, fountains, irrigation, etc.

If you have had any problem in your house and it has not been solved in an effective way, in Meridional we put at your disposal plumbing professionals.

25 great tips for saving water at home

Rain is not available to us when we need it. Of course, we cannot create «tricks» to control it at our convenience, but we can contribute to the availability of water in other ways. How? By using it responsibly. To summarise all these ways of saving water, here are some tips for efficient consumption.

Saving water in the bathroom

While you wait for the shower water to heat up, take the opportunity to fill any containers (there are bags specifically for this purpose). You can then reuse the stored water for washing or watering plants.
Turn off the tap while soaping your hands or brushing your teeth.
Fill the sink moderately when shaving instead of letting the water run.
Place a waste bin in the bathroom to avoid using the toilet as a rubbish bin.
Take a shower instead of a bath and turn off the tap while lathering up. A shower uses half as much water as a bath.
Use dual-flush cisterns to flush only the amount of water you need. If not, place two full bottles of water in the cistern itself.
Use the washing machine with a full load and the appropriate programme. Remember that half-load washing machines use more or less the same amount of water as a full load.
Install economisers or aerators on taps and shower heads. They reduce the flow rate and the difference is negligible.

Saving water in the kitchen

Defrost food in the refrigerator. Do not do it under water. You will save on costs and gain in taste and food safety.
Buy efficient appliances with ECO programmes. In addition to water, you will save energy.
Use the dishwasher whenever you can and with a full load. And when you wash dishes by hand, never do it with the water running; first rinse in a basin and then rinse.
Put a jug in the fridge instead of running water to cool it down. You will always have fresh water at no extra cost.
Reuse leftover water from jugs or the water you use to boil eggs or wash vegetables. With it (as long as it does not contain salt) you can water your plants. In addition, you will provide them with nutrients and they will grow healthier.
Slightly turn off the tap in the house. You won’t notice the difference and you will save a large amount of water every day.
Repair taps as soon as possible if you detect leaks.

Saving water in the garden

Design an irrigation system according to the needs of your garden. For example, using automatic drip irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
When sprinkling, design the position of sprinklers, their flow rate and the area they cover correctly.
Do not water in the middle of the day: temperatures are higher and evaporation is therefore higher. In addition, your plants will suffer a lot.
Design the garden with as little lawn as possible, as it consumes a lot of water. A good alternative would be to install artificial grass.
If you do have a lawn, try to cut the grass at a height of about 5 centimetres in order to maintain an adequate degree of humidity in the root zone.
Provide irrigation close to the roots of the plants.
Saving water in your private pool
Do not empty the pool during periods of inactivity. Cover it and carry out preventive maintenance on a regular basis. The water in the pool can be maintained for more than 5 years.
Install a closed circuit purification system.
Install a solar cover during the summer to prevent evaporation. This saves water and disinfectant.
Regularly check the installation: this will allow you to detect leaks and repair them more quickly.
If you have a shower next to your pool, it is advisable for it to be fitted with an automatic or infrared button.

10 tips to save water in your community of neighbours

Saving water in communal areas

Install timed or sensor taps in communal bathrooms and washbasins. This will prevent water from being wasted due to forgetfulness or carelessness.
Periodically check the condition of pipes, stopcocks and meters. A water leak can be a great expense and an environmental problem.
Install water-saving devices in toilets, such as flow reducers or dual-flush systems. These devices can reduce water consumption by up to 50%.
Water green areas with drip or sprinkler irrigation systems, preferably during off-peak hours. These systems make better use of water and prevent evaporation.
Use ecological and biodegradable cleaning products that do not pollute water or soil. Also, use the right amount of water to clean the common areas, without abusing the use of hoses or buckets.

Saving water in your community pool

Choose an efficient purification system. There are different types of filters and pumps that can help to keep the pool water in good condition without the need to change it frequently. Nowadays there are several purification systems that remove impurities from the water and reduce the use of chemical products, which saves water and money.
Control the water level. It is not necessary to fill the pool to the brim, as this means more water and more pressure on the walls and floor. The ideal is to keep the water level between 50% and 75% of the capacity of the skimmer, which is the device that collects the water from the surface to filter it. This prevents water overflow and optimises the functioning of the purification system.
Check for leaks. A small hole or crack in the pool can cause a significant loss of water over time. It is therefore advisable to periodically check the state of the pool and repair any damage that may cause a leak. You can also use a flow meter to check for any anomalies in water consumption.
Take a shower before entering the pool. This is a simple but very effective way to save water in communal pools. By showering before entering the water, you remove any traces of sweat, creams, perfumes or make-up that can contaminate the water and alter its pH. This reduces the need to use chemicals to disinfect the water and prolongs its useful life.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your community swimming pool without wasting water or money. Remember that taking care of water is everyone’s responsibility and that with small gestures we can make a big difference.