Scarcity of water and water consumption for cleaning and hygiene in a household

The scarcity of resources has been the main problem that economists have been trying to deal with. This is the reason why the concept of sustainability was born. However, in the recent years this idea has become even more popular not just because of economic concerns but also because of ecological and social ones.

Nowadays, even water should no longer be taken for granted. Sahel is not the only region in the world where water is virtually priceless. 

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According to the UN over 800 million people (one in nine) don’t have access to clean water – of them: 

• Over 355 million are in Africa 
  
  
• Over 406 million in South East and East Asia 
  
  
• Over 42 million in Latin America and Caribbean

This is why a lot of celebrities have been trying to raise the issue among the ordinary people - Richard Branson, Bono and Olivia Wilde have joined Matt Damon in his so-called Toilet-strike trying to make a difference.

Below is what the water consumption (for regular domestic cleaning and hygiene maintenance) looks like in the average household:

• Between 2 and 7 gallons of water are used every time you go to the loo;
  
  
• For sanitising the toilet you need between 5 and 10 gallons and you normally flush the toilet after scrubbing everything off;
  
  
• Every five minutes under the shower mean between 25-30 gallons of water;
  
  
• To wipe the shower and shower enclosure, bath, sink and tiles you need over 30 gallons;
  
  
• 2 gallons of water are what you normally need for brushing your teeth;
  
  
• 6-12 gallons of water are needed for an automatic dishwasher;
  
  
• 20 gallons of water are needed if you decide to hand wash the dishes;
  
  
• A washing machine uses between 15 and 40 gallons of water every time you load it (depending on the efficiency of the machine you own);
  
  
• Every time you mop the floor in the kitchen you use between 1 and 3 gallons of water (depending on how big the kitchen is);
  
  
• You need another one or two gallons of water in order to clean the doors at your home.

Don’t you think it’s too much water? Try to save some water and contribute for the planet salvation!