Tips to preserve the water quality

1. Use natural fabrics - synthetic fabrics release microfibers into the water during the washing process and often due to their size this material is not retained by the filter of the machines.

2. Preferably for fabrics with raw colors - during the washing process part of the dyes used in the dyeing end up being carried away by water. In addition the dyeing process often requires the use of heavy metals (mordant) to fix the ink on the fabric.

3. Use a dry toilet* - human feces can be composted in a thermophilic process, where pathogenic microorganisms that transmit diseases are eliminated. After this process the compost generated can be used safely for planting fruit and wood tree species.

4. Collect your urine* - the liquid is an excellent source of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.) and can be used as a natural fertilizer in agriculture. For this the urine must be stored in a closed container and kept for approximately 15 days in a shaded place. The application on the plants must be done during twilight using a sprayer (ratio 1:20 - urine:water).

5. Use natural hygiene products - soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, among other personal hygiene products contain several toxic substances that cause water contamination. When we opt for handmade natural products, in addition to reducing this environmental problem, we may be benefiting local producers.

6. Use natural cleaning products - in addition to contaminating water with chemicals, conventional cleaning products destroy microscopic life forms responsible for the degradation of organic material.

7. Compost your organic waste - when disposed of in landfills or inappropriate places, organic waste produces slurry which by infiltrating the soil can contaminate groundwater. Composting is a simple process which can be done in urban or rural environment. When handled correctly it does not produce odors and does not attract animals or insects.

8. Classify your dry garbage and donate it to associations or cooperatives of scavengers - when we stop disposing of our garbage correctly, it ends up being dragged by rainwater to streams and rivers, and later ends up stopping at sea. In the process of decomposition of plastic by the action of weathering, secondary microplastics are generated, which cause water pollution.

9. Buy organic foods - foods produced by the conventional system are highly dependent on pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and high solubility fertilizers. These chemicals are carried by rain and cause water contamination.

10. Install a grease trap in the pipe - its use prevents oil residues generated by washing cutlery, plates and pans from contaminating streams or rivers. When the system is saturated the retained material can be removed and composted.

11. Use herbal medicines - when we use conventional medicines, only a part of the active principle is metabolized and the rest is eliminated by the human body in the water, through feces and urine. In addition, tablets or capsules with expired dates are often discarded in the toilet.

12. Dispose of cooking oil correctly - saturated oil can be reused for the production of solid or liquid soaps and also for the production of glycerin and biodiesel, thus reducing the risk of water contamination.

* - If you choose to use the dry toilet and urine collection, avoid consumption of medicines, licit/illicit drugs and have a natural diet.