As a result of the extraordinary downspout of the Paraná River, a team of researchers from the UNR produced a report on the responsible consumption of water in homes to raise awareness about the uses and care of this resource and, in turn, make visible the unequal access that there is in the city
From the Sanitary Engineering Center of the Faculty of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Surveying, Lucía Pairetti and Delfina Soljan, under the direction of Virginia Pacini, analyzed the flows, times and volumes of drinking water use in Rosario and Greater Rosario.
The report is based on the fact that not all people have the same opportunities, living conditions and level of basic services. From the survey, it emerged that the center is the territory where water is used the most, reaching double what is recommended, while in the southwestern and western neighborhoods of the city, the amount consumed is half.
"The greater the consumption, losses and waste of water in the most central areas of the city and consolidated neighborhoods, which are also the ones with the highest population density, the worse the pressure and flow conditions will be in the peripheral neighborhoods," they affirm. .
Taking into account that approximately 50 liters of water per person per day are needed to ensure that basic needs are covered, keeping public health risks at a low level, as recommended by the WHO, the researchers consider that "it is essential to modify habits and regulations to minimize waste of drinking water”.
Responsible consumption
From the study it can be deduced that the greatest home uses occur through showering and flushing the toilet, followed by washing clothes and general water consumption through the sink. Therefore, some alternatives and tips for water care are proposed, focusing on these points.
According to the research, a shower uses approximately 10 liters of water per minute. This means that a 20-minute shower uses 200 liters of water. If the shower is cut in half (10 minutes), 100 liters could be saved. This amount could be enough to hydrate 50 people, assuming each person needs 2 liters per day.
In addition, a large amount of water is wasted waiting for the required bath temperature to be achieved. For every minute that the water is left running without use, 10 liters of water are lost, which is equivalent to the volume of a bucket. "This water could be collected and then used, for example, to water plants or to avoid a toilet flush," they recommend.
The report also mentions that toilets use more than 10 liters per flush in older models and/or those with valves, and only 3 to 6 liters in newer ones. “Some simple home remedies can help save water, such as placing a bottle filled with water and sand inside the toilet tank to reduce the volume of water used. It's also important not to use the toilet as a trash can, as this not only saves water but also prevents unwanted blockages in the plumbing system,” they suggest.
As for the washing machine, it consumes up to 100 liters per load , depending on the model. “The number of washes per week should be minimized by using a full load or the maximum amount of laundry according to the load setting. It is also advisable to use short wash cycles,” say the engineers from UNR.
Regarding the bathroom faucet, it wastes approximately 6 liters of water per minute. For every minute the faucet is left running, 6 liters of water are wasted, enough to adequately hydrate three people for a day. "It's important to turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your hands, doing the dishes, washing fruits and vegetables, etc.," they state.
Another use is for hoses, which consume approximately 10 liters per minute, whether for watering, washing sidewalks, cars, or other activities. Every 6 seconds the water is left running, 1 liter of potable water is wasted. Washing a sidewalk for 10 minutes would consume an average of 100 liters of potable water. For this reason, it is recommended to install shut-off valves on hoses to allow for automatic shut-off when not in use. Alternatively, using buckets is recommended for better water control.
a royal change
The researchers state that it is important to control the proper functioning of the water installations in homes to avoid possible waste of water due to leaks. Some very common in home installations are the dripping faucet whose cost is 0,03 liters per minute. According to Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos (AYSA), a tap leak can cause a loss of around 46 liters of water per day. Another case is the leaking toilet whose water consumption is 0,8 liters per minute, which can cause a loss of around 1200 liters of water per day.
From the data analyzed, it could be concluded that the savings per 1.000.000 inhabitants through responsible consumption would be equivalent to approximately 70% of what is produced by the Baigorria Water Treatment Plant (6000 m3/h).
The report warns that although this initiative arises in the context of the water crisis that our region is going through, the problem of water scarcity has been present worldwide, for many years and with the prospect of continuing over time.
“If we manage to transform this crisis into an opportunity, to achieve a real and forceful change in our actions as a society, we will be closer to becoming the equitable, inclusive, sustainable and environmentally friendly society that we aspire to”, they affirm. Sustainability is understood as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of future generations, guaranteeing a balance between economic growth, care for the environment, and social well-being.
Journalist: Victoria Arrabal