Today is World Water Day, an annual means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. To mark the occasion hansgrohe – the leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry – offers five practical and effective tips for doing your part in the home.

1. FIX THE FLUSH
Water-saving toilets use 1-2 gallons per flush instead of 3-5 gallons. Replacing a 5-gallon-per-flush toilet with an ultra-low-volume (ULV) 1.5-gallon-flush model represents a 70% water savings and will cut indoor water consumption by about 30%

2. INSTALL WATER SAVING SHOWER TECHNOLOGY
When renovating a property, choose the most water-efficient appliances you can. Hansgrohe has been producing water and energy-saving products since the 1980s. The company’s efficiency technologies such as EcoSmart, AirPower, and CoolStart reduce consumption and thus save water and energy daily – without compromising on design or ease of use. AirPower enriches water with air, making each drop feel full and soft and increasing shower enjoyment and water efficiency. EcoSmart (pictured) taps and showers use up to 60% less water than conventional ones. CoolStart technology keeps water cold if the handle is in the middle position. With standard taps on the other hand, the continuous flow heater or circulation pump starts up immediately when the handle is in the middle position

3. CHECK FOR LEAKS
Most people would be surprised how much water can be lost from even a small leak. Check all faucets, showers and shower heads for leakage – ask a plumber for help if you’re unsure. Swimming pools in particular are culprits for wasting water via leakage. Clues that your pool has a leak include a drop in water level, excessive manual refilling and stagnant water.

4. USE INTELLIGENT KITCHEN SYSTEMS
Kitchen sinks are well used in every home and can lead to excessive use of water when preparing food. Using an intelligent system will limit water wastage and splashing. A good example is the award-winning hansgrohe Aquno Select (pictured). This new system offers the right spray types and functions depending on the respective use. The laminar and shower sprays on the pull-out sprayer have been complemented with a wide area and particularly gentle spray that comes from the integrated base unit. The SatinFlow spray is comprised of many individual streams that form one soft stream that provides a broad flow. The streams envelope food, hands, and objects items without splashing, thereby providing uniform water coverage.

5. WASH YOUR CAR THE EFFICIENT WAY
If you enjoy washing your car by hand at the weekend one small change in habit can have a big impact. Save up to 150 gallons of water every time you wash your vehicle simply by turning the hose off between rinses. The same applies when watering the garden; switch the hose off as often as possible.