In a nutshell
In this activity we will find out about water footprint,the virtual water and how we can save water in our homes and schools.
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle
Water-readings
Water (over) consumption
During the second half of the 20th century, water demand in the Mediterranean countries was doubled. This demand is expected to continue to increase in the future. Unfortunately, the mismanagement of water is evident at the household level as well. Check the following data:
- Though approx. 50L are enough to cover one’s daily water needs, some people use up to 300L a day!
- Approximately, 30% of the daily household water demand is used in the toilet flushing!
- Half a glass of water is enough to brush our teeth; when we let the tap running while brushing them we can waste up to 5L of water!
- Typically, tourists use much more water than locals: for example, deluxe hotels of Malta and Greece consume more than 450L per guest per night!
Group activity
Measuring our water footprint
- Wash your hands twice:
- 1st time: let the water running
- 2nd time: turn the tap off while washing.
- Each time collect the water used () in the bucket and calculate it. Note it on the worksheet.
- What was the amount of water saved in the second time?
- How much water can you save in a day, for an average of washing hands three times a day? How much water can be saved in a year by your family, in this way? Complete the worksheet.
- With the help of your parents check the last year’s water bills to calculate the average quantity of water consumed at home. Check also the readings of the water meter; the water bills are based on the data produced by them.
- Persuade your family to consume water more wisely e.g. for a year. Find here some water saving tips.
- At the end of the year compare the amount of water consumed with the one of the previous year using the water bills. How much water was saved?
! Tip: During the year check regularly on pipes, taps or tanks in your home, the yard and balcony for any leakages or damages.
Water meter
Water-readings
The virtual water
It may not be visible, but millions of liters of water go into making the products we buy, use and throw away. Manufacturing everyday materials like paper, plastic, metal and fabric takes quite lot of water. Knowing these amounts of water needed to produce the goods we all use is an important first step towards using water wisely. Actually, water is needed to make almost all products we use every day. For instance, our diet makes up at least two-thirds of our total water footprint. This is primarily due to the large amounts of water needed to grow and produce the food. This hidden flow of water, the so-called “virtual water” is required for almost every step in the production processes for many different raw materials and finished products.
Find out more about the virtual water in various production processes here: https://www.watercalculator.org/water-use/
