Here Are Some Small But Important Changes You Can Make To Your Life & Help Conserve Water

Emergence of veganism, sustainable clothing, water conservation, plastic recycling and conservation are not random trends.

Some of us have made a conscious effort to stop eating meat and dairy, live without plastic and only wear clothes that are sustainably manufactured.

The reason is a simple one: some of us have finally accepted the fact that climate change is really happening, and how it¡¯s going to affect us and our children.

2019 has made India, too, face one very real fact: a water crisis that is being touted as the country's worst. Chennai, a major metropolitan city, ran out of water. According to reports, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a conservation campaign to tackle the water crisis and stressed on the importance of water conservation, something the whole country desperately needs.

Experts warn that Delhi and Bengaluru could face a similar face; 21 Indian cities will run out of water by 2020, reads a report. This means only one thing: we need to save water. Because your life literally depends on it.

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That being said, it can get overwhelming to sort through all the information and figure out what you can do to help save water, but we¡¯re here to help.

You don¡¯t have to know everything or do everything to make a difference. Start small, with your own personal water consumption, and take it from there. Here are nine easy ways to get started.

1. Calculate your water consumption.

It¡¯s not an exact step but download a water calculator on your phone. This will give you an insight in to your personal water consumption, and you'll see instant results from doing your bit.

2. Turn off the sink while brushing your teeth.

It doesn¡¯t seem like much, but depending on how old it is, your tap handle gives out seven to eight litres per minute. If you brush your teeth at least twice a day, you could save 2490 litres of water per year or more.

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3. Stop using your water basin as an ashtray or waste basket.

Every cigarette butt or tissue you flush away also flushes away up to 18 litres of water.

4. Let your laundry and dishes pile up .

All neat freaks can throw as much shade at this but one way to conserve water, in a manner some people might even enjoy, is by letting your dirty clothes and dishes pile up. Every time you run the washing machine you use 35 litres of water. So, think about that and thank that pile of clothes in your room for helping you save water.

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5. Eat less meat.

Meat has a larger water footprint than plant-based food. One report found that the livestock industry as a whole uses up about eight per cent of the world¡¯s water and it contributes to pollution. Plus, studies indicate lower levels of anger and frustration among vegetarians, so not eating meat would do you a world of good.

6. Stop buying bottled water.

Yes it happens. You forget your water bottle, so you just go buy one packaged drinking water. No one¡¯s perfect, of course, but if you really stay on top of it, you can probably cut down on those occasions.

These bottles reportedly make up half of the plastic that's collected. And, disturbingly, for every litre of water that's packaged, two more litres are wasted.

Try getting some water bottles of different sizes so there is one in your backpack, your gym bag, your car, and keep track of when you run dry so you can plan ahead to avoid it next time.

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7. Water your plants only when they really need it.

Most plants can live without getting watered everyday. So, please don¡¯t aimlessly water your plants every single day.

Instead, keep a day for gardening and really water your plants well. Make sure water seeps all the way into the roots. That way, plants will store water making it okay to go without water for a few days.

8. Take fewer baths.

Yes, a decadent bath is how most people unwind. Some people get amazing ideas if they spend long enough standing in the shower. But that needs to stop. Your shower is probably springing out three to four liters of water every minute. So, rethink your bathing needs.

9. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

This conservation mantra is typically used as a way to think about conserving material goods ¡ª buying fewer things, figuring out ways to reuse them (like cutting up old clothes that are then used as cleaning rags), and recycling items to keep them out of the water waste systems for as long as possible.

But since water is part of the manufacturing process of basically everything, reducing your material consumption will overall help in saving water.