Be water-wise

Be water-wise

 Just when the summer has become extreme and the heat is killing, and water is the most desirable commodity for different uses – drinking in various forms – juices, sherbets, buttermilk, thandai, all things liquid and thirst-quenching, or a long shower with the cold water flowing over your head, or a swim in the pool to cool you down – just then water is declared to be scarce by BWSSB.

Picture a man hanging precariously from a cliff, and you have a rope which you can throw to him to save his life. But the rope is just a bit too short, so the hapless fellow can hold on to it gingerly and hang on for dear life, but just about.

That’s how our water situation is in Bangalore. We have just about enough to survive the summer somehow. But the rope is not long enough to relax.

Still, one needs to be grateful for at least having water 24×7 flowing in our taps. In many localities of Bangalore, this is an unheard of luxury – where water comes only for a few designated hours each day and one is forced to manage life around it.

Resilient as we humans are, our water reserves are not deep enough to relax. Conservation is the need of the hour. And with a bit of mindfulness, it’s not too hard to do.

Simple steps like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, soaping dishes and scrubbing clothes; keeping a bucket of water and a mug near sinks for rationed use; having shorter showers (keep the singing for later); and recycling wherever possible – using kitchen waste water for your flower pots; flushing judiciously; maybe run washing machine on quicker cycles; basically be conscious while using water.

When it comes to water conservation, the mantra is simple: use less. (And let’s not be useless at that!)

Pullout  

Every drop counts, save water wherever you can