Letters: September 9, 2010

Conserve water at all costs

Wastage of water in most cases is due to ignorance of how to conserve it and also what a valuable commodity it is ("Saving 75b litres of water using a Dh7 device", Gulf News, September 4). As a British expatriate, I am well aware that the UK often imposes water cuts during the summer months, despite the fact that it rains so much during the year. My idea for conserving water is to initiate more educational advertisements in the newspaper and on television, which teach people how to conserve rather than waste water. An example would be to show how much water is wasted when brushing one's teeth with the tap running, when a glass of water would suffice. Perhaps a warning would not go amiss — if you continue to waste water, you will regret it when meters become mandatory and charges are increased.

From Mr John Barrett Abu Dhabi

Saving water

Saving water was always a concern since I was a child, even before all the media announcements that we are going to have problems in the future with lack of water. I suggest that [the authorities] should come up with a law with a high fine for the housekeeper’s sponsor, who lets them wash the car or the house yard with running water for more than half an hour. Each time I watch that my heart hurts so much and I want to scream loudly asking them to save water. I would adopt any watersaving device that helps us prevent future water crisis.

From Ms Myriam Dimitri, UAE

Make a difference

The water-saving device is a brilliant step taken by the authorities. But this is a global concern and the whole of the UAE has to join it sooner or later. In my opinion the best practice would be to standardise the gadgets to be fitted in the tap from the supplier itself. That would actually help society. Very few of the developers are actually concerned about water and electricity saving because the usage is paid for by the tenants themselves. They overlook these small things which can make a big difference. They should use energy- saving bulbs instead of ordinary bulbs and standard water-saving devices for all developments coming up in the future. Green building concepts should be implemented as and where possible.

From Mr Pankaj, Dubai

Water leaks

I am very concerned about the water that is consumed. The suggestion [of water-saving devices] is and will be effective and the authorities should take the initiative to use this device in all their buildings. I have been a resident [of Abu Dhabi] for more than seven years and most of the places that I have lived in and worked with have water leaks in their facilities or residences. So it would also be good if all tenants and building owners are informed of this problem. Not only is it exhausting our water resources but [it is also] a big waste of money.

From Ms Farah, Abu Dhabi