Despite being in June, the UK weather hasn’t exactly been consistently sunny and warm – in fact, we have seen more than our fair share of rain. Despite this, summer is the perfect time to think about how to save water in order to reduce usage and lower utility costs in the care home. Domestic homes and businesses alike are being encouraged to do their bit and move towards a more sustainable way of using water.
Here are Care Vision’s top ten ideas for reducing water usage in your care home without compromising on the level of care you offer to residents this summer.
Run the dishwasher when full
A busy care home will inevitably have its dishwasher running throughout the day to keep up with the demand for plates, cups and cutlery during mealtimes and for snacks. If you can wait until the dishwasher is full before pressing the button to start its cycle, this can help save water. You won’t have to run it quite so many times, either, hopefully saving on effort too. The same goes for laundry washing machines.
Steaming, not boiling
When cooking vegetables, consider steaming them instead of running a full saucepan of water to boil them. This can also help keep more of the nutrients in, adding to the health benefits of meal planning for care home residents.
Don’t chuck the cubes
If you have leftover ice cubes after serving refreshing drinks on a hot summer’s day, don’t tip them down the sink. If you cannot return them to the freezer, add them to herb containers or outdoor borders to help water the plants. Or leave them in a cup to melt and then add them to the kettle before preparing afternoon tea.
Water when you want it
Fill a few large jugs with water and put them in the fridge at the start of the day. This means you will always have cooled water available and won’t have to run the tap every single time someone wants a drink. You can add unused iced cubes to water jugs too to help keep the water cool.
Shower, not bath
Showers use far less water than baths, so encourage your residents to shower whenever possible. If people do not want to switch, or are unable to stand up for a shower, cut the amount of water you draw for a bath by up to one-third. It’s unlikely that anyone will notice, or that it will make any difference to their bathing experience. Consider installing water efficient shower heads that cut down the amount of water that comes out.
Turn off the tap
Encourage residents to turn the tap off while brushing their teeth. It is all too easy to leave taps to run while you apply toothpaste, brush your teeth and rinse. Think carefully about how much water your residents use during personal grooming in the mornings and evenings.
Look for leaks
Fixing leaky pipes, taps and fittings can save a lot of water, as well as keep appliances working properly and sinks and basins looking shinier. When carrying out your summer checks and maintenance visits, ask for leaks to be spotted and repaired as a priority. Replace worn tap washers too – dripping taps are not only a nuisance; they are a source of wasted water.
Recycled rain
Collect rainwater in butts in the garden to use on the flower beds during sunny spells. There is certainly enough rain about at the moment to make this well worth your while. Keep the water butts in a safe place, away from the main residents’ areas. Water in the early morning or after dusk to avoid the rainwater evaporating too quickly in the summer heat.
Longer lawns
Leave grass a little higher than normal in the hottest months. This allows the blades to retain more moisture and the lawn to resist drying out too quickly. You can adjust the blades on your lawnmower to help with this. Alternatively, pledge to grow a wild flower meadow to attract the bees in place of a short, manicured lawn that requires far more time and attention.
Wiser washing for your vehicles
Finally, if you have minibuses, cars or other vehicles for your business, take them to a vehicle washing facility that recycles its water. You might save a few pounds by washing your vehicles on site, but the soapy and dirty water that runs off soaks into the ground and affects delicate ecosystems. Spend some of the money you save on other water-saving measures to get your vehicles washed sustainably.