Water shortage: Never ‘tubig’ a problem

Suddenly, it’s summer! The heat is on. And we don’t really mean the frenzied presidential campaign, with elections just around the proverbial bend. Also making big news is our water shortage problem due to the decline in he water level in Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s raw water, due to the El Niño phenomenon.

It’s never tubig a problem if we all do our part in helping conserve water, according to environmental leaders and activists belonging to Alaga LAHAT, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Global Legal Action on Climate Change, Health Care Without Harm, Krusada sa Kalikasan, Maskara-Green Stage Filipinas,Miriam PEACE, Mother Earth Foundation, Sanib Lakas ng mga Aktibong Lingkod ng Inang Kalikasan, Sining Yapak, and the EcoWaste Coalition’s Secretariat.

For starters, these passionate environmentalists tell us that we need to check all our leaking faucets, pipes, tanks, and toilets, and have them repaired at once to stop wasting water.

Oh, yes, we could — and should — recycle wastewater, which is also called graywater, from bathing, cooking, and washing clothes and dishes. This can be used to water our plants; wash our cars, rags, floors, and tiles; clean the garage, and to flush the toilet.

We can likewise harvest rainwater simply by placing a drum at the end of the alulod (gutter drain spout), but ensuring that the container is fully covered to prevent the breeding of dengue mosquitoes.

Says EcoWaste Coalition, “Conserving water is not only a knee-jerk response to the dry spell, but also an essential one to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels used to pump out and deliver water into our homes and neighborhoods.”

And now, these ardent conservationists, whose well of ideas will never run dry, share these top (or should we say, tap) 20 tips:

1. Every little drip counts. Repair faucet leaks.  Replace worn-out sapatilya (washers) and fix all leaky pipes, water containers, and toilet tanks.

2. Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth, shave, or wash your face and hands. Use a glass of water when brushing your teeth.

3. Take shorter showers and turn off the tap when soaping or shampooing. Use timba (pail) and tabo (dip) when taking a bath, and use just enough water.

4. Place a brick, a jug with stones or a bottle filled with water inside the toilet tank to cut on water used in every flush.

5.  Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily.  Put discarded tissues in the bin rather than in the toilet bowl.

6. Collect water dripping from air conditioners; use it to wash your mop, water the plants or flush the toilet.

7. Reuse towels and wear clothes such as pants twice or more before washing.

8. Organize your laundry schedule and wait until you have a full load before you use the washing machine.

9. Use laundry water for cleaning used bottles, cans, and other recyclables, blinds, rugs, doormats, and car wheels.

10. Keep a bucket in the bathroom and laundry area for the graywater.

Use this water to flush your toilet, clean the laundry area and car port or to dampen dusty road.

11. Use the walis tingting (broomstick), not the water hose, to sweep the driveway or footpath clean.

12. Wash fruits and vegetables in a palanggana (pan) instead of running water from the tap; reuse the water for watering the plants.

13. Do not throw rice wash down the drain; use it for washing dishes or watering plants.

14. Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight, not on running water.

15. Use fewer cooking and dining utensils and dishes to cut down on the water needed for dishwashing.

16.  When boiling water, fill the kettle with just enough for your needs.

17. Never waste water served during meals; drink it up!

18. Don’t let the water run when you wash the dishes by hand, and collect the graywater for other purposes.

19. Water your plants after 5 p.m. when temperature is cooler to minimize evaporation. Water them only when necessary. Spread a layer of mulch around plants and trees to retain water and reduce evaporation.

20. Harvest rainwater through the alulod (gutter) and use the water collected for your essential needs. –Ching M. Alano (The Philippine Star)