WATER BOOK
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 6 : Clean water and sanitation for all
In 2015, the world set a target to tackle our global water challenges by 2030! We’re already halfway… and we’re not where we need to be.
So we all need to do more.
If we all take small actions… if we work as a team, we can turn this around. The game is always won in the second half, so it’s all to play for.
Be a Water Champion
OF THE EARTH IS WATER
The water on earth today is all we have, and we can’t produce more.
As the world’s population increases, demand is outpacing supply, creating water shortages.
Almost 1 in 10 people in the world don’t have clean water close to home.
IT’S TIME TO PLAY OUR PART FOR WATER
80% 27% 700M
of the global population lack access to safe drinking water.
of the world’s water waste is discharged untreated into the environment.
ONLY 3% IS DRINKABLE EVERYDAY ITEMS REQUIRE LOTS OF WATER TO PRODUCE
Bottle of water
7 liters
Cup of coffee
190 liters
This book provides information and actions you can take to be more water responsible at home, at work and at play.
people are at risk of being displaced as a result of drought by 2030.
A pair of jeans
1000 liters
1. World Health Organisation - 2023 2. United Nations - 2020 3. https://www.who.int/health-topics/drought#tab=tab_1 1 2 3
AT HOME
Being water responsible starts at home. By making small changes around the house as well as encouraging family and friends to do the same, you can help make a difference to your community.
Home Maintenance
Monitor your water bill for unusually high use - your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover possible leaks and track your water usage.
Check your property for leaks in internal plumbing (e.g. fixing a leaky tap). Don’t forget to check outdoor taps, pipes and hoses.
Insulate pipes to help prevent them from freezing or bursting during colder months.
Laundry Pets
Wait until you have a full load to do your washing.
Pre-treat stains to avoid re-washing clothing.
Wear your clothes more than once. Less washing = less water needed!
If considering buying a washing machine, compare water efficiency ratings.
Wash your dog (and other pets) outside instead of in the bath/ shower/sink during warmer weather - this uses less water and enables water to be soaked up through the grass or be used to water the plants at the same time.
Rather than throwing your pet’s ageing water in a bowl, down the sink, use it on the garden or household plants.
#WaterFact: Globally, households waste around 7.7 trillion litres per year. 4
4. https://www.ecofriendlyhabits.com/water-wasting-facts/
AT HOME
#WaterFact: A 5 minute shower uses half the amount of water compared to a bath.5
In the bathroom
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
Install water saving shower heads and taps.
Only flush bodily waste and toilet paper down the toilet to prevent blockages which can lead to waterway pollution.
Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you could have a water wasting leak.
Garden / outside
In the kitchen
Use a bowl in the kitchen sink for washing up instead of letting the tap run continuously.
Cook food in as little water as possible, with a lid on, to reduce the water used.
Fill a jug of water and put it in the fridge for when you want a cool drink - rather than leaving the tap to run fully cold.
Defrost food in the refrigerator overnight instead of running water over it.
#WaterFact: A garden sprinkler can use up to 16 litres of water per hour. This is the equivalent of taking 12 baths.6
Harvest rainwater from your roof by installing gutters, downpipes and collection barrels - this can be used for plants, trees and drinking water for animals.
Use rainwater and a broom instead of a hosepipe to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps.
Water your plants with rain water from a watering can instead of a sprinkler or hose pipe.
Minimise water lost through evaporation by watering early in the morning or late in the evening.
Use mulch or gravel to cover garden beds and borders - it helps retain water and prevent evaporation, reducing the amount of water needed to water plants.
Choose plants that thrive in hot/dry conditions, so they need less watering.
5. https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/conservingwater/ watersavingtips/#:~:text=A%20five-minute%20shower%20
6. https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/siteassets/household/about-us/wrmp/ revised_draft_wrmp24_main_report.pdf
Implementing water responsible measures at work not only contributes to environmental sustainability and good corporate social responsibility, but can also lead to cost savings.
#WaterFact: Users of sensor taps conserve 70% of water compared to users of manual taps.7
Consider printing double-sided to reduce paper usage, thereby contributing to water conservation in the paper production process.
Include a water responsible and sustainability tip at the start of each meeting.
Take a reusable water bottle and cup to work to reduce the need for single use materials and washing up of multiple cups and glasses.
Encourage colleagues to only run dishwashers when there is a full load.
Turn off air conditioning and heating when not needed, as both of these use water.
Share the alltoplayfor.com website details for colleagues to find out the actions they can take to play their part.
7. https://www.homestratosphere.com/sensor-faucets/ AT WORK
AT WORK
As a business you could...
Undertake a water audit and install water monitoring solutions to evaluate and optimise your water usage.
Provide bins in washrooms for non-flushable items to prevent water pollution.
Involve employees in the development of water conservation plans and practices that can be integrated into the company’s culture and values. Employees can be recognised and rewarded for actively contributing to water saving initiatives.
Equip restrooms and kitchens with water saving devices such as aerators on taps which reduce water flow without compromising functionality.
Carry out regular and systematic maintenance checks.
Consider installing waterless urinals in restrooms, which can eliminate the need for flushing and save a significant amount of water.
Explore and implement water recycling and reuse.
Many “At Play” leisure activities not only happen directly in or on water, but also utilise water to maintain their operations.
#WaterFact: An estimated 3.5 million people get sick each year after swimming in natural water bodies that are contaminated due to water pollution.
8
Out and about
When out and about, take a reusable bottle to avoid buying drinks in single-use containers, reducing the need for recycling and conserving water.
Be mindful of personal water use during leisure activities, whether it’s taking a shower or washing hands after playing sports.
Car washing
Wash your car on or by a lawn/ gravel area to allow water to be absorbed rather than running into storm drains.
Use a bucket, not a running hose.
Use car cleaning products that are water-soluble and non-toxic to water.
Community activity
Plant trees where appropriate in your local community to help the watershed.
Organize a regular litter pick around your local waterways to help improve water quality.
Arts and crafts
Use water based paints as these contain less contaminants when rinsed off brushes and equipment.
Where possible, recycle the water used for cleaning art supplies.
8. https://www.theswimguide.org/2016/08/05/recreational-water-illnesses/ AT
PLAY
AT PLAY
Exercise
Encourage your sports team to reuse and recycle kit at the end of each season and consider dope dye materials which use less water and contaminants.
Suggest the use of water-efficient irrigation for sports fields.
Use “Reef Safe” / “Reef Friendly” sunblock when swimming in the sea to reduce water pollution.
Fishing
Do not leave any litter besides a lake or river and if you spot any when out fishing, pick it up and dispose in a bin.
To reduce water pollution and protect marine biodiversity, check if all equipment is free from contaminants before entering a waterway and be careful not to transport water from one source to another.
Camping and hiking
Choose camping sites that have water conservation practices and regulations in place. Eat out of the pans you cook in to save water for washing up.
Consider using hand sanitiser in some circumstances to reduce water usage.
Follow “Leave No Trace” principles to minimise water and pollution impact.
Thank you for taking action and being a
Water Champion!
Taking the actions suggested in this book may not produce your desired result, and Xylem does not guarantee that your particular actions will result in cost savings or other intended outcomes. All of the recommendations are provided as-is, and Xylem offers no representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind associated with the statements or perceived recommendations in this book.
© Copyright 2023, Xylem Inc.
