It's recycling water, what else can I do? »Yale Climate Connection

One of our readers asked us:

It's something, recycling water, what else can I do?

We asked reporter Johani Carolina Ponce to answer this question. Here is your answer:

really! Recycling water is a crucial practice that can benefit the environment and your community. By reusing water in activities like irrigation, cleaning and even toilet discharge, you are contributing to the conservation of basic resources and helping to reduce environmental impacts.

Water recycling means using water again instead of wasting water. It's not about drinking water in the toilet, it's about using it for other purposes at home. For example, you can use it to water plants instead of throwing water and vegetables. You can also put a bucket while the shower to collect water while waiting to heat up, then use it to clean the floor or download the toilet. Another option is to collect rainwater, which many families have done in different parts of Latin America. A drain on the roof, water enters a storage tank or bucket, which can be used to water the garden, wash clothes, clean floors or fill the toilet. To prevent dirty, a filter for leaves and waste can be placed.

Another type of water recycling that can be recycled at home is the use of grey water, i.e. water from a sink, shower or washing machine. If you don't have strong chemicals, such as aggressive or bleaching detergents, you can reuse this water for certain purposes. For example, the final flushed water of the washing machine or the water leaving the sink after washing hands can be redirected by a homemade system to fill the toilet tank or waterproof plants.

Why recycle water?

Water Resources Protection: Reuse of water reduces the need for natural sources, helps protect the ecosystem and ensures water for future generations. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, sustainable water management is key to facing water shortages.

Reduce pollution: Wastewater passes through treatment plants and eliminates pollutants such as chemicals, sediments and microorganisms through physical, chemical and biological processes. By repeating this treated water, such as in agricultural or industrial activities, freshwater demand for natural ecosystems is reduced, helping to maintain biodiversity and improve environmental quality.

Economic savings: Using recycled water for family activities, such as irrigation, can reduce your water invoice. For example, capturing rainwater or reusing cooking water from plants is a simple measure that has implications. Here you have practical tips on water recycling.

Other ways to optimize water usage at home

In addition to recycling, there are many actions you can take to make more efficient use of water:

• Repair leaks. A drop per second can waste up to 3,000 liters of water per year. Check and repair any leaks in faucets, pipes, or irrigation systems.

• In a double drain toilet in a faucet, saving exposure and showers can reduce consumption without sacrificing comfort.

• Rain capture system They are an easy and economical way to use water for irrigation or cleaning. Here you have how to install a rainwater collection system.

• Water early in the morning or sunset to reduce evaporation. You can also use a drip irrigation system to improve efficiency.

• Washing machines and dishwashers with low consumption certification (such as products with labels) Energy Star) consumes less water and energy. This is a valid list of devices.

The impact of your actions

Every effort is important. Recycling water and adopting sustainable practices not only helps the conservation of water resources, but also raises awareness in your community, thus promoting a sustainable culture. If each house takes these measures, the collective impact will be significant.

For more information, you can consult these sources in English and Spanish:

In addition to recycling water, there are many other ways to promote climate change at the individual level and society. Changing our daily habits, such as reducing energy consumption, choosing sustainable transportation, reducing the use of plastics, and supporting green public policies, is a key move to alleviate this global crisis. Every little effort adds and positively impacts our communities and the planet. To explore more ideas and details, we invite you to read this article: How do we contribute at the individual level and at society to reverse climate change?