PART B: ACTION PRIORITY REFLECTIVE

JOURNAL, EVALUATION AND VERBAL

PRESENTATION
Assignment 1A focused on developing water saving strategies to reduce the water usage in
a regular household of 6 people to thus improve the ecological footprint. The report below
will explore therefore explore the new levels of water usage in a household of 6 people once
the action plan has been conducted, and data to support this is evident below.

A) Data conveying the amount of water used in a household of 6 people over a period of
three weeks AFTER the action plan was implemented:

Figure 1.1: Water usage results recorded one week after action plan, for a family of 6

Dates Water usage (Litres)

26th April 494
27th April 443
28th April 456
29th April 432
30th April 458
1st May 467
2nd May 470
Average Water Usage for Week 1: 460

Figure 1.2: Graph comparing the water usage per day, in week one of the action plan
Figure 2.1: Water usage results recorded two weeks after action plan, for a family of 6

Dates Water usage (Litres)

3rd May 538
4th May 545
5th May 498
6th May 566
7th May 538
8th May 512
9th May 487
Average Water Usage for Week 2: 526

Figure 2.2: Graph comparing the water usage per day, in week two of the action plan
Figure 3.1: Water usage results recorded three weeks after action plan, for a family of 6

Dates Water usage (Litres)

10th May 842
11th May 890
12th May 901
13th May 863
14th May 852
15th May 902
16th May 911
Average water usage for Week 3: 880

Figure 3.2: Graph comparing the water usage per day, in week three of the action plan
Data conveying the amount of water used in a household of 6 people over a period of
three weeks BEFORE the action plan was implemented:

Figure 4.1: Water usage results revealing one week of Data before implementation of
action plan

Dates Water usage (Litres)

27 Feb 791
28 Feb 832
29 Feb 879
1 March 945
2 March 1043
3 March 1032
4 March 975
Average water usage p/week: 928

Figure 4.2: Graph comparing the water usage one week prior to the action plan
B) Comparing ‘Before’ and ‘After’ data

As evident in Figure 4.1, the Average Water usage before the action plan was implemented,
averaged on 928L in a week, which is relatively high compared to the average daily water
consumption of 900L per household ("Average Water Usage", 2019). This allowed
individuals within the household to comprehend that new lifestyle habits should be
implemented, which are further explored in the action plan, as water sustainability should
be introduced within the household.

Prior to the action plan, each individual’s lifestyle habits were seen as unsustainable due to
water being the main resource consumed. The main sources of water within the household
were; long showers (e.g., 20 min for each member of the family every single day), washing 2
loads of washing per day, and turning the dishwasher on every day.

Figure 1.1, 2.1, and 3.1 reveal the changes in water consumption within the household. For
instance, as the first week of the action plan progressed, the average water usage dropped
rapidly from 928L per week to 460L per week, therefore resulting in success as the action
plan clearly worked in the first week and everything was on task. The plan was also effective
during the second week as the average water consumption was 526L. Although the data
shows that the results did slightly increase from the first week till then, the new water usage
strategies remained consistent and the action plan was working. The third and final week of
investigating however, was the week of laziness as each and every individual slacked off.
This is evident in figure 3.1, where the average water consumption of the week increased to
880L. This therefore reveals that as the weeks progressed, the usual habits returned,
displaying the difficulties that water sustainability has towards an average household.
Although within the third week, the average water usage increased, a comparison of data
from before and after the action plan show that results were improved, and changes were
made. From an average water consumption of 928L before, changing to 880L a week now,
this reveals a slight improvement in water sustainability and exposes that in order to live a
sustainable life, one must acknowledge both the cultural, social, as well as the economic
impacts of everyday habits and actions in order to protect the environment.

C) Water as a Priority area

Water remains as the largest natural resource as it is constantly used within day to day life.
("The importance of water sustainability", 2015). It is the core of sustainable development
and is vital for both socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and survival. ‘’A total
of 748 million people Do not have access to an improved drinking water source’’ (UNDESA,
2015). Having no access to clean accessible water negatively affects one’s health and
wellbeing. Hence, both infectious and water borne diseases such as dysentery, cholera, etc
can be spread through contaminated water. ‘’Contaminated drinking water is estimated to
cause more than 500,000 deaths every year’’ (WHO,2019). Water is therefore the crucial
link between the environment and society, as access to clean and improved water can result
to better health and positive long-term consequences.

Water sustainability refers to the ability to meet water needs and create a nation that can
be water self-efficient. As the global population grows, there is also an increasing demand
for clean water resources for communities to comply with their needs. It is therefore
essential that both the local and global communities unite and place implications to better
improve water consumption and develop sustainable lifestyle habits. Globally, each person
should work together to allow one another to be water efficient and have affordable access
to a minimum of 20-50L of water daily. An efficient way for global communities to play a
role in water sustainability is through the use of telecommunications and social media. For
instance, water saving visuals can be posted on billboards, social awareness pages and
groups can be made on social media, and radio podcasts discussing the implications can be
conducted. These ideas are therefore highly significant strategies in raising awareness on
water consumption and the implications of saving water towards both humans and the
environment. Several organisations around the world also attempt and succeed in helping
society make an impact towards peoples lives by researching global water issues and
partaking in strategies to help improve these issues. Organisations such as; The Pacific
Institute, Caritas Australia and the World Water Council are organisations that promote
awareness and conduct action in water conservation issues. Local communities can also play
a significant role in delivering realistic solutions, and this can be done through educating one
another of the significance of water. For instance, one can hand out posters through the
neighbourhood, or display them, in order to raise awareness allowing one to develop
sustainable habits by uniting and working together as a team, which can therefore motivate
other individuals. If each household makes an effort to reduce water consumption, this will
then have a positive influence on the environment as well as reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Sustainable approaches must therefore be implemented in order to reduce water usage.
Thus, individuals must consider those who are disadvantaged when improving lifestyle
habits and implement water saving techniques to reduce ecological footprint and improve
society today.

D) REFLECTION

An action plan was implemented in order to prevent the extensive use of water, by limiting
water usage in an average household of 6 people.

Water is not only extremely crucial for both a healthy environment but also for those who
do not have access to clean water. As I became more educated on the significance of saving
water and developing sustainable habits, I along with my family, came together to collect
data of our current lifestyle habits, and attempted to improve on that. We realised that if
each household makes an effort to reduce water consumption, this will then have a positive
influence on the environment as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, I
came up with an action plan and informed my family about it.

During week 1, the action plan began smoothly and was well effective, and this is shown in
figure 1.1, where the average water usage dropped rapidly from 928L per week to 460L per
week. This reveals that the strategies were effective due to the decrease in water usage.
Signs were placed across the household in order to introduce the policies that will begin to
occur. The first week was extremely challenging as it was the start of a change and one may
forget to be cautious around the house. However, to overcome the situation, posters were
placed to act as a reminder for the individuals. For instance, a sign was positioned on the
shower door, to remind one to take a max 10min shower. Another sign was also placed in
the kitchen stating that the dishwasher can only be used when the load is full. Although
these practices were challenging as clothes/dishes urgently needed to be washed, hand
washing a small amount of clothes or dishes became an alternative solution. A sign was also
placed outside next to the hose allowing one to re-think the decision of using a hose to
clean sidewalks, steps and etc and use a broom instead. By placing a reminder among the
hose, one must also be cautious of using the hose for other purposes, such as watering the
garden. A weekly timetable will be conducted to organise set days on watering to avoid
doing such daily.

I believe one must start small and gradually build up to a sustainable lifestyle. Bombarding a
household with multiple practices may allow individuals to feel overwhelmed, which
increases the chance of giving up. As the action plan was ongoing, the new strategies
became challenging and my family and I found it extremely difficult to remain consistent,
however the signs continued to act as a reminder to reduce the possibility of forgetting new
practices. A weekly reading of the water metre was also documented, observations were
also conducted, and results were recorded into a chart to track the process and
improvement. Roles were allocated to family members allowing each individual to focus in
personal task and implement new strategies to live a sustainable lifestyle. For instance, a
checklist for weeks 1, 2 and 3 were conducted where I created a plan so that each individual
in the family had to write down the water metre per day, and a weekly goal was included
each week as well as the actual answer. This allowed us to compare our answers with one
another and therefore improve together.

During the action period, the main support was my family themselves, growing up with a
large family, everyone is constantly attentive and familiar with each other’s actions, so when
my shower hit a limit, my sister would knock on the door and tell me to hurry up or that
time is up, or each day my mum would remind us to gather the dishes and wait till the load
is full before we turn the dishwasher on. Family members assisted one another as
individuals may slip into old habits, yet it did happen. Within the last week the weekly water
usage did increase to 880L which is relatively high compared to it being 460L.

Overall, I was quite disappointed as my family and I did get back to our old habits after 3
weeks which reveals how hard it is to save water. For example; during isolation, as we did
stay home, we were constantly eating and using dishes, so my mum had to turn the
dishwasher on at least once a day. As a result of us staying constantly at home, my mum
continuously watered the garden and used the hose often, my dad’s showers returned to
normal, and rather than waiting till the end of the week, and gathering all the dirty clothes
my mum washed the clothes every day, to get the task out of the way.

Although the results in week 3 showed that we did return to our habits, I believe a slight
improvement was made, water usage was saved. The signs provided us with a visual
reminder and till this very day the signs are still placed around the house, therefore
constantly reminding us. Thus, the main thing taught was that individuals must consider
those who are disadvantaged when improving lifestyle habits and implement water saving
techniques to become sustainable within the household.

Appendix and Journal entries:

Week One Journal entry:

It is currently the end of Week one of the action plan being conducted, and my family and I
have found that the posters placed around the house have acted as helpful reminders,
allowing us not to forget our new lifestyle habits. These signs will therefore assist us to
continue these sustainable habits towards the upcoming weeks to come. During this week,
each and every individual in my family has been consistent with the new habits, and
together we’re extremely motivated to continue these habits in week two.

Week Two Journal entry:

It is currently the end of Week two and my family and I have found out that maintaining
these habits have been quite challenging. Especially during isolation, the dishes have been
fuller, and the temptation to wash the dishes twice has arose. However, whenever someone
would try to slack off, another person would be their support. My family has all been
 motivating each other during this time as we aim to succeed in this journey and remain
sustainable.

Week Three Journal entry:

It is currently the end of Week three and my family and I have slacked off and slipped into
our old habits. My sisters and dad struggled to keep the showers to a limit of 10 minutes
and my mum has been watering the plants each and every day. Overall, we were unaware
of how hard saving water and maintaining these sustainable habits have been, but we will
continue to try to do so.

Appendix A- Signs around the house:

PROCEDURES: SIGNS:
Bathroom policies

Laundry and
Kitchen policies
Outdoor

Appendix B- Poster
Appendix C- Checklist
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