These were among the 24 tips given out by an ecological group as it said people should no longer wait for water levels in major dams to reach critical levels.
“We should not wait for the water levels in Angat, La Mesa and other vital dams to reach super critical levels during the long dry spell before we act to conserve water,” said EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Aileen Lucero.
Earlier, Angat Dam plant manager Rodolfo German said the dam’s water level has reached 182.2 meters as of Monday morning.
German said the dam management may cut off water for irrigation once the water level reaches 180 meters. He added the critical level for drinking water is 160 meters.
The EcoWaste Coalition’s tips focused on conserving running water, recycling water, and maximizing water use in cooking:
Running water:
1. Check pipes, faucets, showerheads, hoses, toilet and water tanks for leaks and have them fixed at once. Replace worn-out washers,
2. Don‘t let the water run while you brush your teeth. Wet your toothbrush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
3. When washing your face or hands, turn the water off while you lather.
4. Take shorter showers. Turn off the water while you shampoo your hair or soap your body.
5. Reuse towels a few times before putting them in the laundry basket.
Flushing:
6. Place a bottle filled with stones or water inside the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water in every flush.
7. Place used tissues in the bin rather than in the toilet bowl. Avoid flushing the toilet needlessly.
8. Keep a bucket in the bathroom and laundry area for the gray water that can be used to flush the toilet, clean the laundry area and car port or dampen the dusty road.
9. Organize your laundry schedule and wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine.
10. Use laundry water for cleaning used bottles, cans and other recyclables, blinds, rugs, doormats, and car wheels.
Recycling water:
11. Collect water dripping from air conditioners and use it in washing mops, watering the plants or flushing the toilet.
12. Do not hose down your driveway or footpath. Use a walis tingting instead.
13. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan or basin instead of running water. Reuse the water for watering the plants.
14. Reuse hugas-bigas (rice wash) for washing dishes or watering plants.
Cooking:
15. Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight, not on running water.
16. Use fewer cooking and dining utensils and dishes.
17. Do not let the water run when washing the dishes.
18. Pick the proper pan and pot size for cooking.
19. Do not scrape pans and pots in running water; soak them first to reduce water use.
20. Never waste water served during meals.
21. Harvest rainwater through the spout and use it for essential needs.
Plants:
22. Water the plants after 5 p.m. when it is cooler.
23. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to cool the ground and hold in moisture.
24. Spread a layer of mulch around plants and trees to retain water and reduce evaporation.
Meanwhile, the group also urged parents to reward household members, especially children, for conserving water and for reducing the water bill. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
