NATIONAL and local government agencies are appealing for sensible water use with the advent of the El Niño, which is often marked with increased heat and drought in most parts of the country.
Friday last week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Water Resources Management Office issued water conservation guidelines to be implemented in government offices in line with Memorandum Circular No. 22 issued by Malacañang.
Indeed, there is nothing more sensible than pushing for conservation measures as water scarcity looms with the onset of the El Niño climate phenomenon.
As we remind duty-bearers to uphold the people’s right to water, we join the government in urging water consumers to conserve water in all ways possible as the whole country braces for the impacts of El Niño on the water supply, agriculture, economy and the lives of the poor.
Zero waste advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition is also appealing to everyone to aim for zero water waste and for the protection of the human right to water during the El Niño months and beyond. The right to water, according to the United Nations, entitles everyone to have access to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water.
To prevent and reduce wastage of water, a precious resource, the group released water conservation tips for the information of all water consumers. We’re sharing these with our readers.
Have all leaky pipes, tanks and faucets repaired to avoid water loss.
Collect rainwater; be sure to store it properly to keep dengue mosquitoes away. Also, collect and use water dripping from air conditioners for washing mops and rugs, flushing the toilet or watering the plants.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving. Take shorter showers and refrain from changing towels every day.
Run a full load of laundry to cut on water, electricity and detergent use. Then use grey water from bathing and washing to flush the toilet, clean the garage, and water the plants, and use a broomstick, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Do not let the faucet run while washing rice, fruits, and vegetables, and reuse the “dirty” water for watering the plants.
Steam vegetables instead of boiling them to lessen use of water. Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight, not on running water. Do not let the water run when washing the dishes, fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water, and reuse the leftover water.
Select the proper size for pans and pots for cooking, and use fewer utensils and dishes to reduce water use.
Water the plants early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize water loss. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to keep the moisture, and spread a layer of mulch around plants and trees to retain water and lessen evaporation.
