Ecology in Provence - History of water

Water is drinkable not gaspillable

The water, one of the most precious possessions of the planet, a vital need for men, for animals and vegetables. Water is a necessity of life.

In Provence, there is already a long time that the inhabitants are conscious of the value of the water. The long periods of aridity, few resources on our territory, contributed to make water very precious in Provence. Nevertheless it is necessary to know that a French uses on average 150 liters of water a day for his domestic everyday life, while a Malagasy farmer uses 5 liters a day for his everyday life and his agricultural activity !

Savings of water - a shower yes but...

They are more and more numerous to be conscious that it's time to protect our planet and through it the future generations.

But in the nets of the everyday life, it is sometimes difficult to implement some "green" recommendations. To sort out wastes for example is not always easy, indeed everybody can't have in a small studio 4 bins necessary for this sorting.

Fortunately some habits are less restrictive to implement and to integrate into our life, and shower is one of them. Some figures : a shower of 6 minutes consumes 100 liters of water, a shower it is two packs of water by minute (let us remember the Malagasy farmer).

Solutions : cut the water when one soaps, use a stop shower and don't stay one hour in the shower !

Savings of water in the bathroom

Many of us have in their bathroom a bathtub. More practical when one has children that a shower, and which furthermore relaxing that a good perfumed bath after tiring workday. It is sometimes difficult to give up this small pleasure and our comfort but a filled bath it is on average 200 liters of water !

It is also good to remind that when we brush our teeth, a simple tumbler instead of the usual net of water is a saving in everyday life. Is it need to clarify that an saving of water is synonymic of saving of money ?

Savings of water in the kitchen

Dishes is a daily duty but it is also an important expense of water. But fortunately that one does the dishes or that one has a dishwasher, there are anti-wasting solutions.

Dishes : if one lets the water pour it is on average 50 liters of water used for dishes because an opened tap it is 5 liters of water by minute. Then let us cut the water during the soaping and let us use a basin to keep water. The consumption of water during the dishes is so reduced to 15 liters.

Dishwasher : an old dishwasher consumes on average 100 liters of water by wash. But fortunately, the fabriquants of household electrical appliance think about environmental protection. One finds class A, A+ and A++ dishwashers which save energy and use 20 liters by wash. It is also important to fill the dishwasher.

Savings of water in the garden

Watering of the garden : there is a big error to be avoided, it is about watering right in the sun. As much for the plant as for the saving of water. The reasons ? Mainly to fight against the evaporation. But it is also necessary to know that an watering right in the sun can burn your plants. It is so advised to spray in the evening and at feet of plants.

Recovery of water : every year, notably in spring and in autumn, thousand liters of water pass by of your roofs? All this water can be recovered by placing tanks at the arrival of your drainpipes. You will have an important reserve of water. This water although not drinkable, can be used for the watering of your garden. Think also of getting back the water which you use to wash your vegetables, for the watering of your inside plants for example.

Other figures and advices to save water

Some figures

A faucet which drips it is 4 lost liters by hour either 100 liters a day, or 50 000 liters a year, or about 100 € a year.
A flush which leaks it is 16,5 lost liters by hour either 400 liters a day, or 200 000 liters a year, or about 400 € a year.
To wash the car in the fountain it is on average 300 liters of water.
To flush the toilet it is 10 to 12 liters of water and how many times a day ?

Some advices

Regularly verify that you have no leaks, a washer costs 1 euro.

For your toilet, a new flush doubles levers allows to use less water. You can also place in your reservoir 2 bricks or 2 bottles of sand, you will save 3 liters of water by flush.

To wash your car, user a bucket and a sponge or go to a specialized centre where water is recycled.