Water

Water is the essence of life. Covering over 70% of our planet’s surface, it is a resource so fundamental that it underpins every aspect of our existence: from the air we breathe to the food we eat, and the energy we consume. Yet, despite its abundance, only a small fraction of the world’s water is accessible and suitable for human use. This makes water an incredibly precious resource, one that should be conserved and used wisely.

Alarmingly, this small fraction is becoming even more scarce due to a combination of factors such as population growth, climate change, pollution, overconsumption and waste. As these pressures mount, the availability of clean, fresh water is diminishing, turning what should be a readily available resource into one that is increasingly at risk.

In many parts of the world, water scarcity is a daily reality. Droughts, over-extraction of groundwater, and pollution are turning what was once an abundant resource into a dwindling commodity. Even in regions where water seems plentiful, it’s often taken for granted, leading to wasteful habits that contribute to larger environmental and social challenges.

The importance of water extends beyond just our immediate needs. It plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and supporting economic activities. Without careful management, the effects of water depletion can ripple through society, affecting food production, health, and even geopolitical stability.

As citizens, our actions matter. Each drop we save contributes to a larger effort to ensure that future generations have access to this vital resource. Understanding why water is valuable and how we can conserve it in our daily lives is the first step toward making a meaningful impact.

Reduce, Save, Don’t Buy

In this chapter, we will explore some practical ways you can contribute to its sustainable use:

• First of all: reduce your direct water consumption. It may seem obvious but you must turn off the tap quickly, take short showers, when you soap up (hands or body) the tap must be turned off. Up to 6 liters of water per minute can be wasted if the tap is left running.

• Install water-saving devices: the use of flow reducers or aerators in taps and showers can significantly reduce water consumption without compromising efficiency. They can save 30% of water every year! This is a simple solution and very effective in reducing water consumption. If you don’t have them yet, you should install them in every tap in your home right away!

• Don’t buy plastic bottled water! It contributes to plastic waste, pollution, and unnecessary carbon emissions from production and transportation. In italy, there is a widespread false myth that tap water quality is inferior to that of bottled water. However, this is an unfounded assumption: chemical analyses conducted by Hera on Bolognese water show that tap water values are not only always well below legal limits, but are also of the same order of magnitude as bottled water values. Check this page for updated values and the ‘Altroconsumo’ site for further advice and explanations.

I hope that these data have convinced you of the fact that tap water has nothing to envy of bottled water but if you need a little more time I suggest you switch to returnable glass bottles (look at this links: acquavino, drink service, san lazzaro acque minerali) or to purifying filters/jugs.

Another option is to self refill the bottles you already have. In bologna city center there are 2 municipal “cassette dell’acqua” which dispense fresh still (5 cents/litre), lightly sparkling and sparkling water (10 cents/litre) and work with coins or rechargeable cards. For more info click here.

Personal Water Bottle

Until now we have mainly talked about how to avoid consuming bottled water when you are at home but it is equally important to avoid it when you’re out. The best thing you can do is always take a reusable water bottle with you. It’s just a matter of habit, you’ll see that if you start you won’t be able to separate yourself from your water bottle in your tote bag :). Metal bottles are less prone to the proliferation of mold and bacteria than plastic ones; aluminum ones are lighter than steel ones, but dent more easily. You can refill your bottle from any tap sink or public fountains. In the latter case you can even rely on an app that tells you where’s the nearest fountain, it’s called “Fontanelle” and it’s very useful, particularly when traveling.

Domestic water use optimization

Optimize domestic water use. When washing fruit and vegetables, use a basin and leave to soak, use running water only to rinse. The water you collected in the basin can be reused to water plants. Use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines only when fully loaded. If the dishes are very dirty, remove the residue by hand giving them a wipe-down with paper towels (those used during the dinner) or with a wet sponge to avoid wasting water unnecessarily. Washing dishes by hand is not more effective than washing them in the dishwasher. The amount of water used in hand washing is always significantly higher. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t need to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. So if you find yourself having to do this, there are chances that your dishwasher needs a little maintenance.

Choose an energy-save or eco program. By washing your items at a lower temperature, the washing machine/dishwasher uses less water during each cycle. That will help you save water and cut energy costs. 

If you are an out-of-town student or simply you don’t have a dishwasher, to wash the dishes by hand it is better to collect the right amount of water in the sink and wash with that. In this way, several thousand liters are saved per year.

• Choose efficient appliances: if you have to buy new appliances prefer models with a high energy class, which consume less water and energy. In fact washing machines and dishwashers are not all the same! Between one and the other, the amount of water used per wash can vary greatly. In addition to that keep in mind that it’s always better to use low-temperature programmes as mentioned before.

• Repair leaks and dripping taps: take early action on water leaks in your home! It may seem that the single drop of water down the drain is pretty insignificant, but if you look at drop after drop you will realize that you are dealing with a significant flow of wasted water. Here it is a simple tool to calculate how much water is wasted by a leaking faucet. After all, every single drop of water counts! To check if you have leaks in the pipes, you can read the meter in the evening before going to sleep, do not open the taps all night and check the meter the next morning.

• Choose products with less water impact: it means opting for items that require minimal water use in their production and have a lower water footprint. This includes selecting goods made with sustainable materials, reducing consumption of water-intensive products like certain textiles and foods (for example meat, animal products, almonds, coffee), and supporting brands that prioritize water conservation. By making these choices, you help reduce the strain on global water resources.

• Recover and reuse rainwater: if you have the possibility install a rainwater collection system in your roof/balcony/garden for non-potable uses, such as garden watering or cleaning.