Technology to Reduce Water Use

Become an Aquanaut and help engineer our water future...

You might be thinking that as water is everywhere, what’s the problem? But with only 1% water actually usable and with growing populations, that precious 1% is under serious pressure. The good news… there’s a load of innovative technology and ideas to help us conserve and reuse water in our homes and industries.

Hi. I’m Arno. I’m with the Aquanauts. 

We’re wild about water and how to make sure there’s enough for everyone who needs it now and in years to come.

Here at Aquanaut HQ we’re checking out how to reduce and reuse water.

First, let’s get one thing clear, not all water that goes down the drain is the same. 

There’s greywater that comes from places like your shower, bathroom sink and washing machine. While not super clean, it’s not as nasty as… blackwater which comes from toilets and kitchen sinks and is full of bacteria and organic matter like from food waste.  

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It’s relatively easy to recycle and reuse greywater! There’s some cool tech to help save water without even noticing.

There’s devices that are available in our homes. First up… aerators for taps. These nifty little devices reduce the flow of water through taps without affecting the pressure. Less water, same effect. Win-win!

Ever flushed a toilet and thought “Wow, that’s a lot of water?”. Dual-flush toilets let you choose a lighter flush for liquids and a stronger one for solids.

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Another cool development are water-efficient shower heads which are designed to use less water while still giving you a satisfying shower experience. You won’t even notice the difference! New technology is helping us wash our clothes more efficiently too…

Aquafact – Smart washing machines can save 26,000 litres of water per household every year.

Smart machines adjust the amount of water and detergent based on the load size, so you’re not wasting water and use too much detergent, which can harm the environment.

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There’s also loads of exciting new engineering going on behind the scenes. Government has a target of reducing our daily water usage by a third, and new building regulations will require all new houses to have what’s known as hard plumbing solutions in-built to reduce water use.

After all, you might change your washing machine or taps, however high tech they are, but you can’t easily change the plumbing!

Digital smart meter technology could also monitor our water usage, in the same way as they currently help us be more aware of the energy we use.

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Going back to greywater, the waste water from showers and washing machines. Introducing Greywater Recycling Systems! Every industry creates waste water, and more and more companies are putting systems in place to reuse that water instead of just letting it go down the drain! It’s something we can do in our homes too, right?

Whilst safety is an important consideration, after all greywater isn’t as clean as fresh, with some smart thinking, we could reuse it. New home technology might take water from the shower and washing machine to flush the toilet. Don’t forget good old rain water! You can set up a rainwater collection system to capture rain from your roof, store in a tank for use in the garden, washing your bike and even flushing the toilet.

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As we’ve discovered, water is heavily used in farming and there’s some engineering solutions helping farmers conserve water.

Drip-Feed Irrigation is like giving plants a personal water bottle. Instead of spraying water everywhere, drip-feed irrigation takes water directly to the roots of the plants using narrow pipes, reducing evaporation and ensuring that every drop counts.

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Rainwater can be stored in ponds or special retention dams for later use, helping maintaining a steady supply of water for crops, even in dry spells.

Drought-Tolerant Plants can also help. Not all plants need the same amount of water. By picking plants that are drought-tolerant, you can create a green space that thrives with less water.

So, there’s solutions being activated right now and lots of other industries have come up with smart ways to recycle and reuse.

Mining uses huge amounts of water to extract minerals from ore. This water will be very polluted after being used. Innovative recycling technologies can help mines reuse this water multiple times, reducing the overall demand for fresh water.

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Just like in our homes, waste water from manufacturing can be used again for things like cooling processes and even irrigation although it’s a BIT more complicated than just putting a device on a tap! They use a process of flotation, after bacteria and evaporation break down and separate contaminants, the water is then filtered numerous times for safety.

Water conservation isn’t just about using less, it’s about using what we have more wisely. From high-tech irrigation systems for farming, or advanced recycling processes in industry, right down smart appliances at home. 

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There’s plenty of ways to make a difference and YOU can be an Aquanaut too! Next time you brush your teeth or take a shower, think about how you can make changes. Maybe install an aerator on your tap or switch to a water-efficient washing machine.

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You can also explore a career in water engineering and technology. 

Water Workers

There’s a wide range of jobs across the water sector and today’s water worker is Product Design Engineers!

Product design engineers design and develop new products for manufacturing. They use engineering principles and computer-aided design software to create products that are functional, usable, and meet industry standards

Water savvy taps, dual flushes and smart washing machines have to come from somewhere. Often with a background in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a similar field, product design engineers come up with the designs for these exciting new gadgets. They have to meet the brief for saving or reusing water, as well as making them look good and be easy to use.

Take the challenge!

Our rainwater harvester is a hands-on project to demonstrate how rainwater can be collected and reused, promoting water conservation and reducing flooding! Ready? Download here!

Want to know more?

‘This is Engineering’ is an initiative led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in partnership with EngineeringUK and major engineering organisations to encourage young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in engineering. Click HERE to find out more… or perhaps visit the Museum of Engineering Innovation.

Stick with us and we’re gonna be helping you understand the challenges ahead, discover some of the cool engineering and careers that are solving problems today. Find out how we can all make a difference with more tips so YOU can be an Aquanaut too!

AQUANAUTS! CREATED WITH SUPPORT FROM A ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING INGENIOUS GRANT AND CARDIFF UNIVERSITY.

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