5 tips for saving water in the condominium
The importance of saving water is nothing new but, in practice, the actions that are implemented are sometimes insufficient to what is already possible.
Conscious consumption is a commitment from everyone, but proper management and awareness is also the responsibility of the condominium.
Continue reading the article and find out some tips that will help you save water in your condominium and make it more sustainable.
A more sustainable condominium
It may not appear obvious, but there is always room for improvement when we talk about saving water in condominiums.
By promoting a sustainable condominium you are ensuring the preservation of the environment but also the improvement of the quality of life of all residents, the reduction of financial expenses, and the consequent appreciation of the property.
Along with the adoption of behaviors and habits in favor of reducing water consumption, there are a number of actions that can be implemented to ensure savings in an efficient manner.
1. Promote awareness actions
Despite all the efforts and the promotion of campaigns, it is never too much to remind people and lead them to more conscious and sustainable consumption.
Besides saving on the bill, changing habits can make a big difference when done in the community. In the first place, this change must mobilize the residents and awaken social awareness to the value of conscious consumption of this natural asset and carry out a daily follow-up of water consumption.
This is possible through numerous internal awareness-raising actions, namely through debates on the subject, distribution of informative posters, and brochures with practical and effective tips. Ideally, these communications should be made, whenever possible, through digital media.
Some examples of habit changes you can promote:
- Water the lawn when the sun goes down to minimize evaporation;
- Install showerheads with a maximum flow of 6 liters per minute;
- Check for leaks in the faucets and notify the condominium manager immediately. There is no such thing as “a simple drip”, every minute makes a difference;
- Use your dishwasher and washing machine only for full loads;
- Do not turn the toilet into a garbage bag and avoid unnecessary flushing.
2. Perform periodic inspections
In addition to being good for the environment, performing periodic inspections also helps prevent expenses from increasing! And in the case of condominiums, the water bill sometimes represents a big burden at the end of the month, especially if you neglect periodic inspections.
In the case of water tanks, cleaning and disinfection should be done at least once a year, but it is recommended to do it more often, especially if the water is found or suspected to be contaminated.
Problems related to reservoirs are very common and, if not solved in time, can cause infiltrations that will compromise the safety of the structure and the quality of the stored water. Thus, it is very important to carry out a diagnosis of the reservoir and, subsequently, its rehabilitation.
If the problem is confirmed, you should seek professional help and have your water tank inspected. At Prudêncio, we rehabilitate water tanks ensuring that you are not wasting water and that it is not contaminated.
3. Invest in water reuse systems
Invest in water catchment systems such as the installation of cisterns and reuse them for watering plants, gardens, and cleaning common spaces.
This is a very interesting and effective option for both new and older condominiums for storing rainwater or reusing the water used for bathing, which can represent savings of up to 50% on the water bill.
This system consists in the use of cisterns, which store water for general domestic use, generating greater savings and helping to mitigate the individual expenditure of water. In other words, the rainwater is carried by gutters to a filter that, in turn, will eliminate impurities. This water, not being potable, is indicated only for use in household chores.
4. Replace old toilets
Investing in new toilets should also be considered when you want to avoid unnecessary large flushes and save water.
By investing in the most modern toilets with a close-coupled box, you will save considerably on the amount of water flushed compared to the basins with older valves. This change can represent a difference from spending 30 liters per flush to 3 to 6 liters per flush, depending on the need.
5. Invest in individual water meters
Make residents aware of the urgent need to take steps to minimize water consumption on a daily basis by investing in individual water meters. This means that each one will be responsible for his or her own water consumption.
It allows them to have a greater perception of their consumption, pay the real value on it, and adjust new behaviors to minimize eventually unreasonable and, above all, unnecessary consumption.
This is an excellent alternative to track the different consumptions and motivate residents to adopt habits to decrease water use. Individual water meters in condominiums have proven to be a very effective solution to save water.
If the condominium has a swimming pool in the common area it is also very important to pay attention to the evaporation of water and cover it whenever it is not being used. This measure will prevent the evaporation of thousands of liters of water.
Effective, safe and sustainable solutions
These are some of the most important actions you can implement right now in your condominium. The advantages presented have a financial, environmental, and social impact, and can fit perfectly into any type of property.
At Prudêncio, we advise the best solution for your property with some of the most ecological and sustainable solutions in the market.
Do not wait any longer, consult us and be aware of our special conditions for condominiums.