Water is a precious resource, and with growing concerns about water shortages worldwide, understanding and optimizing water usage in your Bali home is crucial. This guide will help you grasp daily water consumption, identify areas of potential waste, and explore solutions for efficient water management, particularly regarding water pump size and usage.

The Global Water Situation

Water scarcity is becoming a worldwide problem, with the UN estimating that 75% of the world’s population may not have access to safe water by 2025. This is due to a combination of factors, including a growing population and increased water consumption per person. As people become more affluent, their water usage tends to increase dramatically. For example, in the 17th century, people used the equivalent of 10 to 20 liters of water a day, while today, some people use between 155 and 300 liters per day. Much of this increased consumption is due to ready access to water from taps and its use for activities like car washing, pool topping, and other non-essential uses. Unfortunately, much of the water is wasted by going down the drain instead of being returned to the water table.

The Water Crisis in Bali

Bali is facing its own unique water challenges, with 12 of the island’s major rivers drying up. The local water supply company, PDAM, reports that average water usage has reached 158 liters per person per day. PDAM can deliver 1,100 liters per second, while demand has reached 1,200 liters per second, resulting in pressure drops during peak usage times. They also have 5,000 people on their waiting list for water supply. Additionally, the Balinese provincial government has announced a 1,000% increase in charges for water drawn from wells and bores due to falling groundwater tables and seawater intrusion. This makes efficient water use and the use of appropriate well and bore water pumps even more critical.

Understanding Your Water Usage

To optimize your water usage, it’s important to understand how much water you use in everyday activities. Here is a breakdown of average water consumption for common tasks:

• Brushing teeth: 16 liters with the tap running for 2 minutes; only 1 liter if the tap is turned off while brushing.
• Shaving: 16 liters with the tap running for 2 minutes; only 2 liters if the tap is turned off while shaving.
• Standard toilet flush: 6 liters; a dual flush toilet uses 4.5 liters.
• High-pressure shower (or rain head): 80 liters in 10 minutes; an efficient showerhead can reduce this.
• Bath: 80 liters.
• Dishwasher: 25 liters; washing by hand uses about 12.5 liters.
• Old washing machine: 100 liters; an efficient washer uses 50 liters.
• Washing a car with a hose: 160 liters in 20 minutes; using a bucket uses 32 liters.
• Watering the garden with sprinklers: 960 liters in 60 minutes; using a handheld hose uses 240 liters.
• Topping up a swimming pool: 960 liters in 120 minutes.
• Running toilet: 1,440 liters per day.
• Dripping tap: 50 liters per week.

It’s immediately clear that certain activities, such as watering the garden, topping up a pool, and running toilets, are major water consumers.

How to Save Water

There are many simple steps you can take to reduce your water usage:

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving.
• Use dual-flush toilets.
• Install efficient showerheads.
• Use a bucket instead of a hose to wash your car.
• Be mindful of how much water you use when watering your garden.
• Fix running toilets and dripping taps promptly.

Water Pump Sizing

Choosing the right size water pump for your home depends on two primary factors: the quantity of water you need to pump and the water pressure you require. To determine the quantity, consider the maximum flow of water you need at any given time. For example, a household with 4 adults may use approximately 600 liters per day. During peak hours, you may need more flow.

Here’s an example scenario:

• 4 people showering at the same time: 32 liters per minute
• 2 taps watering the garden: 16 liters per minute
• 2 toilets refilling: 6 liters per minute
• 1 hose topping up the pool: 8 liters per minute

In this scenario, your pump would need to deliver 62 liters per minute.

Water Tanks and Efficient Pumping

Using a water storage tank allows you to use a smaller, more efficient pump. If you have a 1,000-liter tank and use 600 liters per day, you can use a small pump to fill it over the course of the day.

Additionally, consider using multiple smaller pumps rather than a single large pump to deliver water from the tank to taps and showers. This avoids the problem of a large pump switching on and off continuously when only one shower is running, which can lead to “pulsing” in the supply. You can also install your tank on a stand or roof to allow gravity to feed the water, which eliminates the need for a pump altogether.

Conclusion

Understanding water usage and implementing simple strategies can significantly reduce your consumption and help preserve this essential resource. Choosing the right water pump and water storage solutions ensures that you’re using water efficiently and cost-effectively. By taking these steps, you can contribute to a more sustainable future for Bali and the world.