World Water Day is celebrated every year in March to bring awareness and support solutions to water challenges faced in the 21st century.

The day of awareness is celebrating its 25th birthday this year and the theme is ‘Nature for Water’ exploring nature based solutions for the bigger problem.

In 2018 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home (more than a quarter of the world population), which affects health, education and livelihoods.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.

So what can you do to help? We could all use less water at home and here is how.

  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. You don’t begin to use the amount of water you waste when brushing your teeth so turn it off when brushing.
  • Only boil what you need when using the kettle.
  • Leaking taps can waste a lot more water than you think. If you have a leak get it seen to immediately and be happy in the knowledge you’re not wasting anything.
  • Reuse your cooking water. If you are boiling something, let it cool and use it to water your plants.
  • Use a car wash instead of doing it yourself. A car wash recycles water, something you would not be doing if you did it yourself.
  • Make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is full before you turn it on.
  • Get a rain barrel and use it to water plants or clean your car.