Fresh waters

Normally fresh waters can flow in rivers and lakes. When it is hot, some of the water can turn into gas. The water gas makes clouds.

The clouds then rain when it is colder. The water turns back into liquid and falls down to nourish the land. And it flows back into rivers and lakes.

The cycle starts again.

This cycle keeps many ecosystems alive. An ecosystem is an area with lots of different plants and creatures which work together to survive. The human ecosystem also depends on the cycle of water.

But, we stop the flow. By building dams and draining water sources, we put barricades up against the flow of water.

We also put lots of chemicals and poisons into the water systems. For example, microplastics from synthetic materials such as nylon. And chemicals such as normal toilet cleaners. This can kill the ecosystems that the water cycle supports. Including ours.

We can save the fresh waters. We can unblock the flow. We can keep the waters clean. We need to treat water like liquid gold. Because it is.

The fresh waters will thank you.

Get messy!

Obviously we have to clean sometimes. Hygiene is important.

But get messy.

Be lazy and ignore the housework a little. Microbes can be good for you. It is also good to not obsess about cleaning.

Reuse water

Wash up in a bowl or unscrew the pipe under the sink and put a bucket underneath it and collect the grey water. Grey water is water that has been used already. It can be from washing up, showering, old drinking water.

Grey water can be used for different things. For example:

To water the plants- please make sure that you are using natural and not harmful products
Soaking things before washing them. For example, if there is food stuck to a baking tin, you can leave it to soak in grey water for around 2 hours. This will make it easier to scrape off the food. Then you can wash the baking tin normally.

You can also soak clothes that are stained. This makes it easier to clean the clothes and remove the stain.

Councils need to remove dams that are not working effectively. This will help rivers to flow and rewild themselves.

Where dams are necessary, we need to build them in smart places so that they can be effective. We also must allow regular openings. The rivers can regularly flow. Fish can flow too so the fish stocks don't plummet

Challenge

Ask businesses and community buildings to work towards water efficiency. When they reach all the goals, they can get a certification. Look at this guide for more: https://waterwise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Checkmark-for-Offices-Guide-April-19.pdf

Reduce how much water you use

This can dramatically reduce your water and energy bills. Install a water meter. Then you can reduce your bills as you use less water.

You can reduce your water and hot water use by making simple switches. You do not have to stop washing or drinking.

Check out https://www.waterwise.org.uk/save-water/ for specific tips on how to reduce water waste in the kitchen, bathroom, garden and hidden water (for example, the water that is involved in clothes making and food production)

Think about your actions when you are on holiday. For example, if your hotel room does not need cleaning, ask the room service not to clean that day. Reuse your room.

Turn off the tap when you are not using it.

Stop putting poisons down the drain

Stop using harmful chemical detergents and cleaners. Use natural detergents and cleaners instead.

For laundry-

Use soap nuts or a laundry egg (both with essential oil for added scents). Both of these are reuseable too.
Soak clothes stains as soon as possible with cold water to remove the initial colour. If the stain is small, just rinse or wash that area of the clothing. If the stain is really big, soak the clothes and then wash it normally.
Use a 'guppy bag' for washing synthetic fabrics. A 'guppy bag' is a special bag that you put your clothes in then you put them in the washing machine like normal. The bag collects the microplastics from the clothes. You can use the microplastics or put them in the bin. This is instead of the microplastics washing away into the water systems.

For cleaning-

Buy cleaning products that are as natural as possible. Read the label for toxicity warnings. If there are pictures of dead fish on the label, do not buy the product.
Delphis Eco and Seventh Generation are great companies for all your cleaning needs at home and in businesses.
Baking powder is amazing for stain removing and cleaning so many things like limescale or tea stains.
Use sponges and brushes that are made from biodegradable or organic materials. This is instead of using plastic sponges or brushes, especially for washing up, because the plastic breaks down. The pieces of plastic are impossible to see because they are so tiny. But they fall down the drain and poison the waters.
Make your own cleaning products. Here are some websites that have recipes for making natural cleaning products:
'LiveSimply.me'
'RainCountry'
'FairylandCottage'

For cleaning yourself-

Use cosmetics, like make up and soap, that is are made from natural and plant resources. Read the label for toxicity warnings. If there are pictures of dead fish on the label, do not buy the product.
Make your own cosmetics. Here are some websites that have recipes for making natural self-care products:
'LiveSimply.me'
'RainCountry'
'FairylandCottage'
'thenerdyfarmwife.com'
'https://www.treehugger.com/homemade-makeup-recipes-5204421
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/diy-perfume-how-to-make-your-own-at-home-3-blends-to-try'

Challenge

Take away the poisons on the streets. Try litter picking walks. Set challenges with your friends or community. Get out in the fresh air. Keep it fresh while you are there by keeping the area clean.

How to litter pick safely:

Do not go litter picking on industrial sites
Do only what you do feel comfortable doing.
If you are worried about hurting yourself on sharp litter or getting infection, wear hardy gloves.
If you would like to use a litter picker, try the recycled litter pickers from 'Waterhaul'. This can prevent you from damaging your back and knees because you will not need to bend down. Also, you would support the amazing work of 'Waterhaul' if you use their litter picker.
Make sure to wash your hands when you are finished.
Dispose your finds responsibly. Or repurpose what you find. Wash the treasures that you found and use them or donate them to charity. For example, hair ties, bottles, food, baby toys are easy to find on the streets.

See this video for more information https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaglr132ATc

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