A dripping tap can waste around 30 liters of water per day, which is equivalent to approximately 900 liters over a month. According to data from the Portuguese Environment Agency, a tap left running for just one minute can use up to 12 liters of water. These numbers show how small everyday actions, such as leaving a tap poorly closed, can have a significant impact on water consumption.
JSM, in partnership with APdSE — Águas Públicas da Serra da Estrela —, is developing an awareness campaign for the responsible use of the public water network, which is being carried out in the municipalities of Gouveia, Oliveira do Hospital and Seia. The campaign, entitled "This summer, use public water responsibly," aims to alert the population to adopt behaviors that allow reducing waste.
Among the recommended measures, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving stands out, which can save between 10 and 30 liters per day, and reducing shower duration. The campaign also advises using washing machines with full loads, repairing small leaks in taps and cisterns, and watering gardens only during the cooler hours to minimize evaporation.
The initiative emphasizes that saving water does not mean stopping its use for daily needs, but rather avoiding unnecessary consumption and using only the amount actually needed. The article reinforces that when these behaviors are adopted by thousands of people, the collective impact becomes significant for the preservation of this essential resource.
