Do you leave the tap on when you brush your teeth? Poll discussion

sunstarrr

A couple of people have asked why saving water is necessary since it all goes back into the water cycle eventually anyway. I wondered about this too so I thought I would share what I discovered!

Surprisingly while the UK seems like a rainy country, because of the population density of the country we actually have less water available per person than many hotter countries. For example, London receives less rainfall per head than cities like Madrid and Istanbul, the average annual rainfall (just below 650mm) is less than Addis Ababa (1200 mm). (Source: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/water/why_important.jsp )

This is true for the rest of the UK too, with 1,334 cubic metres of water available per person a year – much less than France (3,065 cubic metres) or even the hotter Mediterranean countries of Italy (2,785 cubic metres) and Spain (2,775 cubic metres).

The main problem is that water usage per person in the UK is increasing drastically - since the 1980s water usage has increased by 50% (mainly due to more people having more water-hungry appliances like power showers and dishwashers). (Source: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/287169/1370495/?version=1&lang=_e )

And of course water leakage doesn't help either -- something like 60% of water mains are over 100 years old and 25% of the water is lost through leaks before it even reaches our homes! (This water might find its way back into our reservoirs eventually but this is a long, slow process.)

So, even if there's enough water per person to go round at the moment, population is increasing year on year and water usage per person is also increasing (by 1% a year). This obviously doesn't add up! Add in the fact that summers in the UK are expected to get hotter with longer periods of drought, and there's a clear problem of not enough water to go around.

(There's also an energy cost in that any water that goes through the sewerage system has to be re-treated all over again, and re-pumped back through the water supply system again... but that is a whole other issue!!!)

Aphra

I decided 7 years ago to experiment by brushing my teeth (reasonably vigorously) with just warm water and no toothpaste. Result: the teeth are exactly the same now as 7 years ago. Marketing men have conned us again! Also try washing clothes with a tiny dab of Fairy Liquid - they come out just as clean. Some companies market magnetic balls in holders to persuade gullible people they will get your clothes clean - the truth is they will get clean anyway if you lower thew surface tension of the water with a dab of something soapy.

kerrydrobertson

i always turn the tap off when i brush although my OH never does, always has the tap full on and it annoys the hell out of me

watsoa

From the results so far:

51.2% of people with meters always turn the tap off
40.7% of people without meters always turn the tap off

These figures show that having a meter makes people more conscientious about the amount of water they use.

Alan W

[Deleted User]

No, only when I'm having a p***!

W_s_n

J. Not on meter: Always turn tap off while brushing

Have done for years

JuliaJolie

travellingbum wrote: »

No, only when I'm having a p***!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

My husband has gotten me into the habit of doing that...but no, I usually don't leave it running, but will turn it on and off to rinse spittage

hamzramz

I do not really leave the tap on when I am brushing my teeth. I run the tap to rinse all the toothpaste away, clean my brush and I rinse my mouth with water (I do not use too much water!).

stogiebear

The habits that I have spent 50 years perfecting are not going to be changed by some wooly minded airheads that think they can change the world by wiping their !!!!!! with organic leaves...

I leave the tap running... and so should YOU!

rich_kim

ADC wrote: »

now ask who uses hot water and who uses cold. I never realised anyone could possibly use hot until a recent discussion. I'm still amazed

Not on meter: Always turn tap off while brushing
Rinse my toothbrush before and after use and obviously have the tap on to rinse my mouth out. I use hot water when brushing (not really that amazing as my teeth are very sensitive to cold) my husband uses cold (also not that amazing).