What’s On enlists a Sustainable Living Plan Project Leader in the UAE to help you go green in the UAE. Here we help cut your water bill.

May Tahboub, Sustainable Living Plan Project Leader at Unilever Gulf counts down easy ways to save water…

FIND AND FIX LEAKS
One small drip per minute is almost 53 gallons of water wasted per year.

BUY WATER-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
Compare water usage on dishwashers and washing machines and get the most efficient model.

REUSE OLD WATER
Found a cup full of stagnant water on the nightstand? Water a houseplant.

SWITCH TO A LOW-FLOW SHOWERHEAD
Newer showerheads can increase water conservation up to 75 percent more than regular showerheads.

TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
Baths and long showers use at least four times the amount of water as a 3 to 5 minute shower.

TRY A MILITARY SHOWER
This method involves shutting the water off while you lather up. Showerheads with a “pause” button or on/off knob on the emitter can be installed or you can simply shut the shower off. You’ll save about two-thirds the amount of water you normally use.

FILL A BOWL TO SHAVE
Instead of running the water, fill a bowl with an inch or two of water to rinse the razor.

INSTALL A LOW-FLOW TOILET FLAP
Older tanks use 3-7 gallons per flush. Installing a new flapper can save up to 5 gallons per flush.

PUT A BRICK IN YOUR TANK
A small brick (or two) in your tank will fill excess space and ensure less water is used to fill the tank.

COLLECT WARM WATER
While you are waiting for the hot water to reach the tap, place a bowl under the faucet to capture warm water. In the kitchen this can be used to rinse dishes, wash veggies or water the garden.

FILL THE DISHWASHER
Avoid switching-on the dishwasher when it’s less than full.

DON’T RINSE WITH RUNNING WATER
Whether pre-rinsing for the dishwasher or after handwashing, fill the sink or a bowl with an inch of water to rinse the dishes.

DO YOU EVEN NEED TO RINSE?
If you have a newer dishwasher or enzyme-based detergent, you can clean the dishes without rinsing first. Check your manual or with the manufacturer.

USE ONE CUP A DAY
Designate one glass a day for your beverages and reduce the amount of dishes you do every night.

SOAK, DON’T SCRUB
Avoid scrubbing dishes under running water to reduce water consumption. Instead, try soaking.

KEEP A BOWL IN THE SINK
Just in case the faucet is not turned off completely.

WASH FRUITS AND VEGGIES IN A BOWL
This will reduce the amount of water used by 4 times.

DEFROST FROZEN FOOD WITHOUT WATER
Use the fridge to defrost your food to conserve water and decrease contamination.

For good magazine articles