Save water - 7 simple tips for everyday life

Many people associate water scarcity with faraway countries. However, the summer of 2022 showed that water is not a matter of course even in our latitudes. However, saving water is also an issue beyond the summer. Because it is not only water consumption that is a problem, but also the associated energy consumption.

On average, around 300 liters of drinking water per person flow out of Swiss taps every day, according to the Federal Office for the Environment. Drinking water is also used for cooking, cleaning, hygiene purposes and irrigation. And wherever water is consumed, it can also be used sparingly.

In fact, saving water has a positive impact on energy costs and the environment. After all, a lot of energy is needed for transport, heating and wastewater treatment. So with these tricks, you can save energy - and go easy on your wallet at the same time.

A full bath uses over 200 liters of water. When showering, the water consumption per minute - depending on the shower head - is only about 15 liters. Especially if you turn off the water while soaping up, you use only a fraction of the water needed for a full bath. So showering more often instead of filling the tub is definitely a good idea.

Many people associate washing up by hand with sustainability. But this is a misconception: due to their high energy efficiency and low water consumption, modern appliances save a lot of water compared to washing dishes by hand.

With new washing machines and dishwashers, however, you should definitely pay attention to water and energy consumption. A modern washing machine consumes less than 10,000 liters, an efficient dishwasher less than 2,000 liters of water per year.

Vegetables and fruits do not necessarily have to be washed under running water. They can also be washed in a bowl. What's more, the water used in this way can be reused afterwards - for example, to water plants or flowers.

Many modern toilets have a built-in flush stop or a short flush button. This means that the toilet can only be flushed for as long as is really necessary. This means that a lot of water can be saved every time you use the toilet.

Economical shower heads, aerators and water-saving mixing nozzles that you simply screw onto the faucet can save a lot of water. Don't forget: The running faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving definitely doesn't have to be either.

A fact that is often forgotten: A half-full washing machine requires just as much water as a full one. So it makes all the more sense not to switch on the washing machine until it is really full. However, if the drum is too full, the washing result will deteriorate. It's best to fill it properly without squeezing the laundry together. And, of course, select the Eco program - and, if possible, wash without prewashing.