Each year, World Water Day is held on March 22 to highlight the importance of freshwater management and sustainability. Conservation of this valuable resource is necessary as we are slowly running short of it.

Do you know that out of all the water on the Earth only 3% is freshwater? Out of that 3%, only 1% is drinkable.

The amount of fresh water wasted every day draws our attention to an alarming fact—most of us waste plenty of freshwater in our kitchens.

We always look for aesthetics in our kitchen renovation project, but seldom do we think about saving water. Here are six ways to do your part to save on water usage in the kitchen:

1. Stop Leakage: Leaks waste a lot of water. A leaking tap that drips 6 drops per minute can lose 1,200 litres of water annually, equivalent to 7 bathtubs. Ensure your taps are tightly turned off or get the washer changed to avoid leakage.
2. Avoid Running Taps: Use a large bowl or a tub of water to wash or peel fruits and vegetables, instead of running water. Use a scrubber to scrub the vegetables, instead of using the faucet for power-washing. Another way is to fill the sink halfway if you have a lot of vegetables to scrub.
3. Install a Low-Flow Faucet: Low-flow faucets flow at the speed of 1.5 gallons a minute, whereas regular faucets flow at the speed of about 5 gallons a minute. Installing a low-flow faucet reduces the chances of water wastage and allows you to use only the required amount.
4. Don’t Use Half-Empty Dishwater: Use a dishwasher only when it’s full. It will use the same amount of water, irrespective of the number of dishes loaded in it. Therefore, if a dishwasher is only half-filled, it will waste water and energy.
5. Reuse the Leftover Water: Don’t drain the water left after boiling food (like vegetables, pasta, etc.). The leftover unsalted water can be reused to water the plants in your garden. Before transferring the water to plants, make sure that it is at room temperature.
6. Don’t Boil; Steam: Choose to cook your food in a steamer rather than boiling. Boiling uses more water and energy to cook the food. Steaming requires less water, as compared to boiling, and retains more nutrients in your food.

Remember, simply stopping leaks, installing a low-flow faucet and avoiding running taps can make a big difference by saving gallons of water in the long-term. It is our responsibility to conserve water and sustainably use this valuable resource. Practice these simple ways and do your part for the environment.