Water scarcity in the future

12 comments for “Water scarcity in the future”

• richard wharton14 February 2012 at 08:57:04

  How aware are you of this issue? > very aware... in some parts of the world water shortages are already the biggest concern. Are you currently doing anything to use less water and if so, what? > don't use bottled water, use the washing machine & dishwasher only on full loads. How do you think companies like Sainsbury's should address this issue? > JS should be bold & lead change

• Samantha Go14 February 2012 at 09:41:41

  1. Very aware of this issue 2. I am personally trying to be more conscious in my daily decisionmaking. Taking shorter showers, washing dishes without the water constantly running. But also whilst shopping. Buying detergent that requires less wate and is more sustainably made and go through my shoppinglist buying the products of companies that I know care and try to limit usage of water or are smart in the water waste management. 3. Go down the value chain, take customers with you on your journey to become more sustainable. Source products more sustainably. The biggest impact can lie in sourcing and consumerism so beginning and the end of the value chain. I would love to be updated on how Sainsbury will deal with this issue going forward. Thank you and compliments for the way to start the dialogue with your consumers!

• Katie Vyktoriah Reed14 February 2012 at 14:47:55

  Saving water has become something of an obsession in our household, as have other green issues. I've written more than one post on my blog about it: http://snugglebubby.com/1485/the-sexy-side-of-going-green/ http://snugglebubby.com/1395/british-gas-and-britmums-present-smart-mums/ It is so important for companies like Sainsbury's to spread the word so that ALL families are aware that they can do their part. The DirectGov website lists MANY handy tips on how to conserve water, and people should be able to print out a list and keep it in their kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/environmentandgreenerliving/energyandwatersaving/dg_064371

• Pete Bradbury15 February 2012 at 14:15:40

  1. I'm aware that in the UK we sometimes have shortages during drought periods that theaten water supplies, but that globally problems are due to increasing use for industry and agriculture. 2. I don't use bottled water, have a dishwasher or wash my car often but don't really do anything different to save water. 3. Sainsbury's should sell products that do not use large amounts of water in their production, such as local vegetables, rather than irrigated imports. They could make customers aware of water used in the growing or manufacture of items. For example growing 1kg of potatoes requires only 100 litres of water, whereas 1 kg of beef requires 13 000 litres. http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25

• Andrew Burgess17 February 2012 at 15:01:35

  Produce World's own potato crop is 100% watered with drip irrigation, we have also proven the system for carrot & brassica production although the high cost of the initial infra structure makes it uneconomic on those crops given current market returns.

• Suchithra S18 February 2012 at 15:19:36

  1. I am well aware about this situation across the globe. In my country, millions of people are facing the problem. 2. I wash clothes on full load and another thing, even though it sounds silly, i use dry shampoos every now and then. 3. By selling products which require less amount of water to produce.

• Vicky Jessop18 February 2012 at 17:34:30

  1. Very aware. People have been so focussed on climate change and carbon footprints we're in danger of water scarcity catching us off guard but it's probably the most time-critical of these issues. 2, When we're waiting for tapwater to heat up we collect the cold water that comes out first so it doesn't go straight down the drain. Also, we turn the tap off when we're cleaning teeth and only use the washing machine for full loads. When we need to replace the washing machine we'll look for a water efficient model. 3. Each month you could highlight some items as 'water friendly products of the month' or nominate a 'water friendly supplier of the month'. It would be up to suppliers to tell you what they've done to be water-friendly and this could be included on the shelf label. It's great see Sainsbury discussing this and raising water-awareness.

• Donna Jefferies19 February 2012 at 16:25:36

  1. Very aware 2. Yes,reducing direct personal water use (e.g. low flow showerhead), but also conscious of the water used to produce the products I consume, especially from water-scarce D&E countries. I eat less meat, am conscious of where my food comes from (water being only one of the issues) and try to minimise food waste. 3. Sainsbury's should demonstrate water-saving in their direct operations, but go beyond this to consider the entire life cycle of products; impacts on water from food production and also the water used by consumers with products.

• June20 February 2012 at 00:48:46

  *We are very aware of the scarcity of water, living in country Australia brings this home to us on a regular basis. Living on tank water and relying on rainfall can be hit and miss at times. *It's a back to the basics life style we live which in general creates less waste on the whole. *Everyone is aware of not wasting water but maintenance is also important, much loss can be seen through a dripping tap! *Education is the key.

• Clare Diaper23 February 2012 at 12:29:55

  I am very aware of the water stewardship having returned from Australia where I have been working in the field of integrated water management for the last ten years. I conserve water with short showers, 'if it's yellow let it mellow' philosophy, turning off taps when I don't really need them. My passion is thinking about water in an integrated way. Two areas that need a little more attention are that; water use also involves energy use, both for treatment and pumping of drinking water and wastewater and in the home when we use hot water, and that water use in the home usually involves contaminating our water with surfactants, cleaning materials and our own wastes. I think Sainsbury's could really make an impact in this area, by selling a wide range of environmentally friendly household and hygiene products. This will help protect our waterways, potentially reduce costs of wastewater treatment and the products may use less water to produce. It might also mean that people can use their shower, laundry or bath water on the garden in times of drought without fear of harming plants or soil. I hope this is an idea you can pursue and great to have the opportunity to comment Warmest regards Dr Clare Diaper

• Rachel Topps28 February 2012 at 13:51:18

  1. Very aware of the finite resource of water, with ever increasing consumption. 2. Together with a couple of friends, about 4 years ago we set up ShowerBoB shower timers to help families like our own reduce our water consumption. Shorter showers help our water & energy bills. We also use a water butt for gardening / growing our own; have installed a water efficient showerhead and aerators in our taps; encourage the kids not to run taps esp. when brushing teeth; have installed water efficient loos; use water/energy efficient appliances - full to the brim. There's still much more we can do, like grey-water recycling... 3. Sainsbury's can focus on instore awareness campaigns which clearly outline the links between water-use and energy consumption (through heating, treating, pumping). Would you consider 'eco-aisles' just as you have with 'world foods' or 'freefrom' products - which might include FairTrade, as well as water / energy savvy foods and products? Perhaps link in with an existing campaign, such as the UN Drop by Drop; or a water-focused charity such as WaterAid or Oxfam's Water Week in July. And of course, you could stock ShowerBoB shower timers too?! Kindest regards, Rachel

• Chris Barrington20 March 2012 at 14:51:13

  Hi. In answer to your questions: 1. Increasingly aware (not least as we will soon have a hose pipe ban in place where we live); 2. Yes lots such as flushing the loo less in the mornings, having showers only, being sensitive about how waste water in the sink is used, storing water in butts plus other things; 3. Theres a myriad of ways that Sainsbury's could address this using simple water-saving 'tips' around the store. For example, a short message on the toothpaste display that says "did you know that you don't need to wet your toothbrush or rinse your mouth out when cleaning your teeth" or a message alongside the grapes that says "save the water you rinse your grapes in to water your plants". There must be plenty of opportunities for these simple messages and cumulatively they could save millions of litres of water.