Rivers are essential for the well-being of fauna and people. Every year, waterways shrink because the communities' water consumption is not replaced by rainfall, which has been reduced due to climate change. Fortunately, you can do your part to save rivers by reducing water consumption, using green products, volunteering, and encouraging others to change their habits. Even if your gestures seem trivial to you, they help ease the pressure on rivers and create a better future.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Reduce Water Consumption
Step 1. Take shorter showers to save water
One of the easiest ways to not waste this precious resource is to shorten your showers. Try not to wash for more than 10 minutes, then go down to 7 and finally to 5. Make a commitment to wash faster each day.
- If you shave or condition your hair, turn off the water until you need to rinse it off.
- If you let the water run until it warms up, collect the cold water in a bucket so you can use it again.
- If you want to take a bath, close the tub right away instead of letting the cold water run. When the water gets hotter, it will also heat the one already present.
Step 2. Wait to fill the washing machine completely before starting it
These appliances consume a lot of water and electricity, so it's not efficient to run a cycle for just a few garments. Wait to do the laundry until you can fill the washing machine.
- If you need to wash a dirty garment right away, try doing it by hand.
- You can wash a small load of clothes in the sink, then hang them up to dry.
Step 3. Turn off the water when you are not using it
Don't let it run when you brush your teeth or shave. If possible, always keep the taps and pumps closed. Open them sparingly when you need them.
Pumps in particular waste a lot of water. Do not open them unnecessarily and do not use them for cleaning
Step 4. Collect unused water for recycling
Much of the water we waste comes from showers, air conditioners and similar sources. It is often possible to collect and reuse it. Place containers at the bottom, then reuse the water to water your plants or lawn.
- The waste water from bathroom and kitchen water systems is defined as gray water. If you plan to reuse them, use biodegradable detergents.
- For example, collect the water you waste while you wait for the shower to reach the desired temperature. Use the melted ice cubes from your drinks to water the plants.
Step 5. Install a low-flow toilet and shower head
These models use 50% less water than traditional ones. You can buy them at home improvement stores. Since everyone uses those toilets, the water you can save with low-flow models is a lot.
You can buy a low-flow shower head for around € 40. It can reduce your annual water consumption by around 25,000 liters, so you'll also get less expensive bills
Step 6. Repair leaking taps
Leaks not only waste water from rivers, they also increase your water bill. Even a small leak can waste up to 75 liters per day. If you want to help the rivers, repair the leaks as soon as you notice them.
Call a local licensed plumber if you are unable to fix the leak yourself. It is always better than waiting
Step 7. Save water even when you are not at home
If you are staying in a hotel or somewhere else, act as if you were at home. You will be tempted to waste more water because you will not pay the bill. Remember that the water supply still comes from rivers and other water sources, so your environmental impact is the same.
- Always try to limit water consumption and avoid waste.
- Never waste water in school, office or public restrooms. Install divider-separated urinals in men's bathrooms.
Step 8. Turn off the lights to save electricity
While this advice doesn't allow you to save rivers directly, remember that water is used to produce electricity. Turn off the lights when you don't need them. Make sure the electronic devices are turned off and with the plug unplugged. You will reduce the cost of your bill and help keep water in the rivers.
- Devices such as phone chargers consume energy even when not in use. Unplug them to avoid the problem.
- Alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind, waste less water than traditional electricity.
Method 2 of 4: Use Ecological Products
Step 1. Choose biodegradable cleaning products
All the chemicals you use at home end up in the water supply. Choose natural soaps or make your own cleansers and disinfectants with vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and other natural products. Detergents of this type have a much less negative impact than traditional ones if they reach a river.
- Products with "Poison" or "Danger" on the label are always harmful to rivers. Even cleaners with "Warning" or "Caution" have a negative impact.
- You should always use cleaners near a drain. Avoid adding them directly to water, even if they are natural.
Step 2. Choose recycled rather than new products
It takes a lot more water to make a new item than a recycled one. If possible, reuse what you already have. If you need to buy something, choose products made from recycled paper or other recycled materials.
- Read the labels and search the internet for more information on how products are made.
- For example, recycled paper reduces the consumption of trees, water and landfill space.
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If you are not an ethical hunter and don't know one, try not to eat meat one day a week. Domestic meat production is one of the industries that uses the most water and can have a negative impact on rivers and other natural elements. Try cutting beef, pork, and chicken out of your diet, even if it's just for one day a week.
Help Save the Rivers Step 11 - To produce 1 kg of beef, about 14,000 liters of water are needed.
- Once you've gotten used to not eating meat one day a week, try going 2 or 3 days a week for an even more positive impact.
Step 3. Reduce your coffee consumption
To grow coffee beans, you need a lot of water, which you will also use to make a cup. From time to time replace it with tea, which requires less water. Natural fruit juice can also be a good alternative.
Dairy products and almond milk are not the best substitutes, because animals and almonds require a lot of water. Try natural soy milk instead
Step 4. Limit the use of pesticides
Insecticides are chemicals that over time return to the water supply through runoff. Reduce the presence of insects around your home by keeping the garden well drained and maintained. If you think you need repellent, spray a small amount directly on your body or plant.
Pesticides are also dangerous to plants and animals, so use them with caution
Step 5. Throw away all garbage in the bins or recycle it (if possible)
Never throw anything directly into a river. This means that you shouldn't even throw garbage down the drain, which could get into the river, polluting or obstructing it. Beware of disposable wipes, coffee beans and medicines, as well as toxic chemicals. If in doubt, always throw the garbage in the bin.
- Also avoid washing your camping gear in the river. Take it home with you so you don't contaminate the water.
- Don't go to the bathroom near a river. That too is pollution. It is often more comfortable for men to urinate outdoors when camping, but you shouldn't do it within 100 meters of a running waterway.
Method 3 of 4: Actively Act
Step 1. Volunteer for a river cleanup project
Search the internet for "river conservation groups". If you live near a water source, there is probably a local nonprofit or group helping to preserve it. Volunteers form groups and remove garbage from waterways.
You can also volunteer in other ways, for example by taking care of the paperwork of ecological organizations
Step 2. Make a donation to a river conservation organization
Visit a group's website or speak to a representative in person to find out about their donation policies. You can find many groups on the internet and around the world. Almost all of them are nonprofits, so they rely on donations. Even if you don't clean the river yourself, a donation will help the group do its job.
- Many groups offer annual memberships. With a small donation you can subscribe to their newsletter and get a discount in the organization's online store.
- Some examples of river conservation groups are American Rivers and International Rivers.
Step 3. Report any river pollution you notice
Act as a keeper of the rivers by informing other people of the problems you see in the water. When you notice that something is wrong, you can call a river conservation group and tell what you saw. Otherwise, you can call government agencies for environmental or natural resource protection.
- For example, dead fish or garbage near a river are signs of pollution.
- Do not touch animals or hazardous waste such as syringes if you have not received specific training.
Method 4 of 4: Encouraging Others to Save Rivers
Step 1. Take other people to the river
Walk by the water with friends and family. As others learn to like rivers more, they will be more motivated to help you protect them.
Try doing river-related activities, such as swimming or canoeing
Step 2. Spread eco-themed news on social networks
Post useful information about river conservation on Facebook, Twitter and similar sites. Communicate to everyone the need to save water and what they can do to protect rivers. You could teach your followers something and get them to join your cause.
- For example, post information about all your volunteer activities.
- Share posts from preservation groups to make them known.
Step 3. Encourage others to save water
Notice the ways people waste or pollute water. In some cases, they don't realize the negative impact their actions have on rivers, so you could help them. Politely offer some advice, explaining what they should do differently to bring about positive change.
For example, you can say, "Do you know that about 7 liters of water is needed to produce a bottle of water? Could you consider using a reusable bottle in the future?"
Advice
- Saving water at home allows you to lower the cost of the bill as well as saving rivers.
- When outdoors, never throw anything into the water. Dispose of the waste in a suitable place, such as a trash can.
- If you have to throw away chemicals, make sure you do it right.
