Tips for saving water in the bathroom

Ever since the dawn of indoor plumbing, we've been used to wasting more water than we need. Here are a few ways to correct that problem.

• A bath is generally assumed to use far more water than a shower, but it depends on the efficiency of your shower and how frugal you are in the bath.
• A low bath will use about 50L (13 gal) of water, whereas a full one may consume 150 L (39 gal).
• An inefficient showerhead can use up to 23 L (six gal) a minute; so, within just over two minutes, you'll have used as much as a low bath and if you hang around for seven minutes, you'll have used more than a full bath.
• In contrast, an efficient showerhead uses just nine L (two gal) a minute, so a three- or four-minute shower will consume significantly less than a low bath.

• Every minute less spent in the shower can save up to 23 L (six gal) of water.
• Alternately, you can get wet, then turn the water off as you soap up, then turn it back on to rinse.

• When buying a new toilet, choose a model with a high water rating or water conservation rating.
• Fit an efficient dual-flush toilet and use the half-flush option. It can save about eight L of water per flush.
• Alternatively, install a toilet-flush regulator (or cistern system convertor). This allows you to control the amount of water that is flushed: the water is released for only as long as you hold the button. It can save as much as 5,000 L(1,320 gal) of water a year.
• Even if you don't have a dual-flush toilet, you can still reduce the amount of water used per flush by installing your own regulator. Fill a large plastic bottle with water and put it in the cistern, making sure it doesn't interfere with the flush mechanism. Its size will dictate how much you save: a 3-L (12 cups) container will save three L (12 cups) of water per flush.
• Always buy toilet paper made from recycled paper, and avoid papers that have been chlorine-bleached or have had perfumes or colours added to them.
• Use biodegradable toilet cleaners that have low toxicity, such as plant-based organic products or borax and vinegar. Many antibacterial disinfectants destroy the bacteria required to break down sewage.
• Do not put sanitary napkins, tampons or condoms down the toilet as they are likely to cause blockages in the outlet pipes.

• A composting toilet requires no water and relatively little maintenance.
• The waste drops into a large tank in the subfloor, where it slides slowly down a sloping base.
• By the time it reaches the lowest part of the tank, where a door allows access, it has turned into A-grade organic manure.

If water is in short supply or normal sewerage services are not available – or you just want to do your utmost for the environment.

• Buy a commercially available model.
• It will have been tried and tested and come with a range of accessories.
• Make sure, however, that it meets local authority regulations.

• Air ducts or a fan to aerate the waste.
• An extractor fan to dissipate fumes.

You may also want:

• a hatch that allows you to add organic matter;
• a heater to maintain an optimum temperature in cool areas;
• revolving tanks to stagger delivery of compost;
• a solar panel to run the fan.