Become an Aquanaut and help engineer our water future...
‘Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink’ – that’s a famous line from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It illustrates the irony and anguish that even though 70% of the Earth is water, only 3% is fresh water and quite often it’s not clean or safe enough to drink. It’s up to all of us to make the most of the water we have to keep our taps running.
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 finding out how to help our water future. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when faced with major challenges, so let’s get some practical tips from our experts.
We all love a soak in water but did you know that each bath can use up to 130 litres of water, whilst a 5 minute shower uses around 60 litres. That’s quite a lot!
Shorter showers are a great way to conserve water. Shaving two minutes off can save around 20 litres. That’s like a whole aquarium full of water!
If you love a power shower, you might not realise how thirsty they are. Seven minutes in a power shower is pretty much the same as running a bath. You can swap out power or even regular shower heads for low-flow ones. They use half as much water but still keep up the pressure. It’s like getting more splash for your cash!
And remember to always turn-off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving or soaping hands. A running tap can use 9 litres a minute. It’s really easy peasy! Turn it off and keep those litres from leaping away!
Don’t forget those sneaky leaks! A leaky loo cistern can get through as much water as a whole extra person in the house. That’s like flushing your money down the toilet – literally!
How about laundry? Every wash uses around 150 litres, so cutting down on the number of loads or using a smart washing machine saves water and money. Plus, less laundry means more time for fun stuff!
When you’re preparing food, always wash your fruits and veggies in a bowl rather than under running water. Then use that water to quench your plants’ thirst!
What about all those leftover fats and oils from cooking? It’s easy… never pour them down the drain! They can harden and clog up pipes and you don’t want your very own fatberg! Bin them!
Now, none of us like it when the toilet gets blocked, so always remember the toilet is for the three Ps only: pee, poo and paper! No flushing wipes, nappies or leftovers down the loo. They’ll only block pipes and cause some majorly nasty problems. Yuck!
Water your plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon and not when the suns blazing… that way, you minimise evaporation and your plants get the most out of every drop.
Collect rainwater in a water butt! Plants love fresh rainwater, and you save loads on your water bill. It’s a win-win!
Saving water is easy when we all do our part. So, let’s make every drop count, and keep splashing out on good habits.
You can also explore a career in water engineering and technology.
Water Workers
Today’s water work is Water Saving Engineers!
Water engineers, including water resource engineers, work on water management projects to ensure a reliable supply of clean water and efficient wastewater management. They also work to prevent flood damage and address environmental concerns.
They use science and engineering to promote sustainable water conservation practices. They may design erosion control structures and manage watershed ecosystems.
Take the challenge!
Try making a Water Cycle Comic to illustrate the journey of a water droplet through the water cycle while raising awareness about water conservation. Ready? Download here.
Now you’ve discovered what it takes to be an Aquanaut, make sure to complete the checklist and download your Aquanauts certificate 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, we’re going to be helping you understand the challenges ahead, discover some of the cool engineering and careers that are solving problems today and find out how we can all make a difference, with more tips so YOU can be an Aquanaut too!
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