How to ensure a better water management in your apartments?
Water management is a big problem in many apartments, especially in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. Indian cities are facing severe water crisis and this situation reaches its peak during summers. But still there are wastage of a good amount of water every day. Many apartment authorities have not still taken necessary steps to manage the water scarcity issues in their building. So, how an apartment community ensures a better water management? Below are a few tips to ensure better water management in our apartments.
Plan an agenda: Apartment associations should take initiative in spreading the message of water conservation to all residents. This can be spoken to them during monthly meetings or notices can be issued to all homes mentioning the need of an environment friendly lifestyle.
Rainwater harvesting: Planning for a rainwater harvesting system in your apartment complex or in every block is the best step for water crisis management in apartments. This water can be directly utilized for daily needs except drinking. Apartment Association needs to make a plan on this and fix a budget for every resident for implementing the same. It is also very cost effective and a must have.
Greywater usage: Recycling of water or greywater usage can be implemented in every apartment for tackling water management issues. If a dual piping system is planned in the apartment, the recycled water can be used in laundry, gardens and cleaning.
Water pressure regulation: In large apartments and multi storied buildings, the pressure of water coming out of the lines will be very high. If this can be controlled optimally, it helps a lot in avoiding wastage of water. The apartment association can take an initiative to get this checked with the in-house plumber.
Water Meters: Installing individual water meters for every apartment will prompt the residents to check and be a bit careful in water usage.
Xeriscaping: Xeriscaping is a kind of landscaping that incorporates water conservation and pollution control into the landscaping. The apartment authorities can take an expert advice regarding this and plan how it can be implemented.
Role of individual flat owners
Water friendly bathroom fittings: The fixings used in the bathroom should be more water friendly than wasting water. Fittings like low height showers & taps and dual flush buttons will help avoiding water wastage.
Avoid wastage: You can save a considerable amount of water every day if a little care is taken. Take care of all leaking pipes in your apartment and ensure kids are not turning on pipes unnecessarily. Controlling excess water flowing out of the bucket, in washing machines and dishwashers, in the kitchen, sink etc, will make much difference. If every resident practices water conserving habits like turning off the pipe while brushing, avoiding tub baths frequently etc, it helps a lot in the overall water management in the apartment.
Awareness: Besides you and your family members, there are others handling water in your house, like maids, gardener or driver. Make them aware about the need for water conservation.
Though some of the steps mentioned above require some investment, it can be helpful in solving water crisis in your apartment.
