In the bathroom:
• Flushing the toilet
Your WC is by far the biggest water waster in the house. There are various accessories you can adapt to the cistern of your toilet flushes so that they consume less water during each cycle. Contact a plumbing supply shop to find out which device is best suited to your toilet.
• Showers / baths
If possible, take short showers. If your shower head has a switch, turn off the water while you soap and shampoo, then rinse quickly. If you prefer to take a bath, fill the bath only a quarter full – that should be enough. On average, you need 180 litres of water for a full bath, whereas 50 litres is enough for a shower.
• Turn off the tap
When you’re washing, brushing your teeth or shaving, ne laissez pas couler l’eau sans arrêt. Use a glass to rinse your mouth when you brush your teeth. Rinse your razor with just a few centimetres of warm water at the bottom of the sink.
• Look for leaks
To check for leaks in your toilet tank, put a little food colouring in the tank. If it reaches the bowl without you flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it immediately. Regularly check taps, pipes and the base of the toilet bowl, and repair any leaks as soon as possible. Regularly check taps , pipes and the base of the toilet bowl, and repair any leaks as soon as possible.
In the household:
• Washing up:
The right way: one tray for washing up, one tray for rinsing and less cleaning product. For a family of 4, a dishwasher uses less water than washing up in the sink.
• For your washing machine:
Take its water consumption into account before buying a new machine.
Respect the quantities of washing product recommended by the manufacturer and don’t run your machine half empty.
• Maintaining your appliances:
Regularly drain the equipment in your system, such as the hot water tank. Regularly clean your taps (filters, aerators) with white vinegar and coarse salt, and equipment such as softeners and shower hoses, which must comply with health standards.
• Garden and lawn:
Water your plants in the evening, preferably with rainwater collected for this purpose.