By Chito Chavez With the water level at the La Mesa Dam reaching its lowest level in 12 years, environmental group EcoWaste Coalition called on consumers to adhere strictly to water conservation measures. La Mesa Dam
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) With the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, EcoWaste Coalition desperately appealed to Metro Manila’s 3.1 million residents to “take water conservation more seriously.’’ The Quezon City based group also urged private and public establishments to intensify water conservation measures in light of the decreased fresh water supply due to the prevailing dry spell. “We join our water authorities in asking households, businesses, and government institutions in Metro Manila to use water more wisely amid the declining water level in Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa Dams,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “Let us all aim for zero water waste to reduce the impacts of low water supply during the summer months on the people, especially the poor, and the environment,” she added. Earlier, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) asked the public to save water as water in the La Mesa reservoir dropped from its normal high water level of 80.15 meters to 69.47 meters, the lowest in 12 years. To encourage all sectors to cut on water use and wastage, the EcoWaste Coalition has released the following water conservation tips:

1. Fix dripping tanks, pipes, faucets, showerheads, and hoses to prevent water loss.
2. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, lathering with soap, or shaving.
3. Take shorter showers with a pail and dipper and use just enough water.
4. Reuse towels a few times before putting them on the laundry basket.
5. Collect grey water from bathing and washing and reuse it to wash the car, clean the garage, maintain sidewalks or flush the toilet.
6. Place a brick or water-filled bottle inside the toilet tank to reduce the water that is being used in every flush.
7. Collect water dripping from air conditioners and use the collected water for washing mops and rugs, flushing the toilet, or watering the plants.
8. Leave grass clippings on the lawn as this cools the ground and holds in moisture.
9. Spread a layer of mulch around plants and trees to retain water and reduce evaporation.
10. Water the plants early in the morning or in the evening when temperature is cooler to minimize water loss.
11. Refrain from using the washing machine if only washing a few clothes, do full loads of laundry, and use just the right amount of detergent to avoid extra rinsing.
12. Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin and not in running water; reuse the water for watering the plants.
13. Save the rice wash for washing the dishes or watering plants.
14. Steam vegetables instead of boiling to conserve water as well as preserve their nutrients.
15. Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight, not on running water.
16. Use fewer cooking and dining utensils and dishes to reduce water use for washing.
17. Choose the proper pan and pot size for cooking as bigger ones may need more cooking water than required.
18. Do not let the water run when washing the dishes, fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
19. Soak dirty pans and pots first instead of scraping them in running water.
20. Collect and store rainwater for daily chores.