Coping with the Rationing or Shortage of Water

Living with the lack of or limited use of water is a harsh reality but there are ways to maintain your family by conserving water daily.

When the supply of water to our homes for drinking, bathing, cleaning and laundry is rationed, it is not easy to cope at first. However, we need to be proactive by adjusting our schedules to utilize water when it is available and we should seek ways to conserve water while being able to stay within our budgets.

Availability of Water is a Worldwide Problem

The availability of water for domestic use is affected by climate change and the rate of our usage among other factors. Because we have not been conserving this most precious element, some countries face water shortages and rationing to keep their reservoirs from running empty. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in an October 25, 2007 Press Release title "Planet's Tougher Problems Persist, UN Report Warns", "Fresh water is declining: by 2025, water use is predicted to have risen by 50 per cent in developing countries and by 18 per cent in the developed world". The Release further shares that "The escalating burden of water demand will become intolerable in water-scarce countries".

Tips for Coping with Rationing and Shortages of Water

For persons who cannot afford elaborate water systems and who do not have cisterns, adequate planning and conservation techniques are essential for a comfortable survival when the water supply's pressure is low or off. Problems with water supply can also occur when there is natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake or tornado so it is important to know tips for managing.

• Store Water for Cleaning and Bathing: When your public water is flowing, then it is a good time to store water in one-gallon or five-gallon containers or buckets but work with containers that can be covered to avoid mosquitoes breeding. Available for a little more cost are larger water tanks that can store 250 gallons and more. Use the best storage device based on where you live and your storage capacity. If you have a cistern, you can always use the tap water to fill it.
• Use Dish Pans to Wash and Rinse Dishes: It is helpful to use one or two dish pans in the kitchen sink when washing dishes. You can always recycle the rinsing water to wash the next set of dishes. Another helpful tip is to clear all dishes of bones and scraps before washing so that the washing water is not as dingy.
• Clean and Do Laundry When the Water is On: Some Governments may opt to share a rationing schedule when reservoirs are running low so plan chores and do laundry when the water is on. Also make sure that the toilet tank is full and a bucket is kept to flush the toilet when the tank is emptied.
• Use Easy Cleaning Solutions: Disinfectant wipes can do easy and quick clean up when the water supply is running low. Swifters and other such mops can also be helpful to keep the floors clean.
• Conserving Water in the Shower: While personal hygiene cannot be comprised, consider using less water by bathing with a sponge or washrag to apply soap to your body and then rinse off your entire body at one time.
• Conserving Water in the Garden: If your plants are suffering from the lack of water, you can implement a simple drip irrigation system that you run in the morning or late evening. You can also opt to grow plants that do not require a lot of water to survive or hardy plants that can days without water.

It is not easy dealing with the lack of water in the home, but with the global consumption of water and the bleak outlook for the future, if we do not start to seriously conserve our water resources, we will have no choice but to cope with water shortages.