Have you ever wondered how water gets to the tap? Where does it go and what processes are used so that we can enjoy this supply in such an easy and safe way? 99.5% of tap water in Spain is suitable for human consumption, and this is thanks to all the research, updating and modernization of the water cycle process in the country.

Today, in the World Water Day, we want to explain to you the entire process that water undergoes before arriving at a shared or coliving apartment and the best practices for saving this vital supply, so that you can be more cautious and conservative and don't waste more water than you should.

The water cycle, how it reaches your coliving tap

Tap water goes through three phases: supply, sanitation and reuse. The supply phase includes other phases such as the collection of water (from rivers, wells or reservoirs), its purification (in drinking water treatment plants is where sanitary measures and conditions are ensured so that the collected water is converted into drinking water), and storage in urban tanks for subsequent transport.

It will be through an extensive network of underground pipes and driven by strategically located pumping stations, that the water will reach the country's colivings. These infrastructures make it possible to carry vital liquid to urban and rural communities, overcoming considerably long distances.

On their way to housing, does water go through distribution stations where its quality is constantly monitored. Finally, it reaches the premises of a building through a network of secondary pipes.

In coliving, users have taps and plumbing systems that regulate flow and ensure water availability by simply turning on a tap. This process requires efficient planning, investment in infrastructure and the collaboration of professionals who ensure the continuity of an essential resource for daily life.

In the second phase, that of sanitation, The water returns to its course through sewers. It goes through a purification process before coming into contact with seawater so as not to generate any environmental risks or to cause discharges.

And in the last phase, That of the reuse of water, water is used for garden irrigation or industrial uses. At this point, it is important to remember that the objective Number 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is access to clean water.

Although this is not usually a problem in Spain, in 2022 there were 2.2 billion people around the world without access to drinking water. The demand for water has increased with population growth, but water scarcity is expected to increase due to climate change, so water reuse and sanitation are two very important processes today and in the future.

The challenge of water consumption in Spain

In Spain, water consumption is a crucial issue due to the scarcity of water resources and growing demand. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), The average consumption of water per person in Spain is approximately 132 litres per day, exceeding the European average. This high demand for water, combined with climate variability and population growth, poses a significant challenge in terms of sustainability and efficient management of water resources.

• According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, around 25% of drinking water is lost in Spain due to leaks in distribution networks.
• The Eurostat report shows that Spain is one of the European countries with the highest water stress, with regions such as Murcia and the Canary Islands facing serious problems of water scarcity.

Water supply, best practices for saving

When an owner manages a building with or different coliving floors, they always have the same doubts or fears. On the one hand, there is the water bill, knowing what its approximate cost will be each month and knowing if you should ask for more or less for the rooms you rent, if you have security clauses associated with spending on supplies. The water supply in a shared flat can be very different depending on the tenants and the responsible use they make.

With the current drought in different areas of Spain, people living in a coliving room must be very responsible with their water consumption, and this is a shared responsibility. Water reuse techniques may not be very convenient for a shared flat, but there are some options to consider (even the owner of the building or apartment can leave a Tenant's Manual including measures for the responsible use of this supply):‍

1. Installation of taps and efficient devices:

Opt for low-flow taps and showers that reduce water flow without compromising the user experience. In addition, consider installing dual flush devices in the toilets to control the amount of water used in each flush.

• Speaking of showers, no more 10-minute showers or endless baths. There are meters for minutes and litres of water spent in real time while taking a shower. Seeing the meter go up non-stop makes many people shower much faster. There are studies that show that installing a water flow reducer, it also helps to reduce the water bill. But a British study has recently appeared in which they conclude that people shower until they notice a certain sensation, the more pressure the shower had, the sooner they got that feeling and the shower was shorter. And if there are plants in the shared apartment, tenants can collect the cold water before the shower to water the plants later.

• In the kitchen, we find the dishwasher and the washing machine, the biggest consumers of water. It is important that these appliances are as energy efficient as possible and are used only on a full charge. If you also use organic soaps, it will also improve the sanitation process.

• We also recommend that you regularly inspect taps, toilets and pipes for leaks and repair them immediately.

2. Awareness-raising and education:‍

Organize workshops and informative talks to make residents aware of the importance of responsible water consumption. It provides practical tips on how they can reduce their daily use, such as turning off the tap while brushing their teeth or quickly repairing leaks.

• In the bathroom, there are still many tenants who use the toilet as garbage, and that should never be done. Each toilet flush is litres and litres consumed, so it's vital that we don't waste water there.

3. Reuse of grey water:‍

It implements grey water collection and treatment systems for reuse in non-drinkable tasks, such as watering gardens or cleaning common areas. This practice not only reduces drinking water consumption, but it also contributes to the environmental sustainability of Coliving.

• If the Coliving building is new, it probably has a grey water collection system. And if you are considering building a new block, we recommend that you take this concept into account. In these cases, the building has several downspouts that separate gray water (shower) from black water (toilet).
• Thus, gray ones can be used to fill cisterns, for example, or to irrigate vegetation in the community area. Barcelona is finalizing an ordinance that will require all new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovations to have this system. It is estimated that the savings can be 30%.

Water savings of 30% are possible thanks to a grey water collection system in coliving buildings.

4. Monitoring and monitoring consumption:‍

Reviewing monthly consumption on your bills can help identify possible leaks. A small leak can waste a significant amount of water.

With technologies such as Polaroo, you can track your water consumption, broken down by m2, number of rooms or number of tenants. You can also discriminate information by day, month and time, making it possible to identify incidents more effectively and take actions that allow you to control the situation.

You can also install water consumption measurement devices in common areas and residential units to identify usage patterns and areas of opportunity. Use this information to set reduction goals and motivate residents to actively participate in water conservation.

5. Incentives and rewards:

‍Implement incentive programs that reward residents for their contribution to reducing water consumption. You can offer rent discounts or symbolic prizes to those who demonstrate responsible and efficient use of the resource.

Saving water in a shared flat or coliving involves a combination of changes in individual habits, proper maintenance of facilities and a culture of awareness and shared responsibility. By adopting these practices, not only does it contribute to the preservation of water, but it also promotes a collaborative environment between roommates or building partners and, of course, can generate significant savings on water bills.

At Polaroo, we are committed to promoting sustainable housing that contributes to a greener future. If you are interested in knowing how you can monitor the water consumption of shared spaces such as Colivings and cohousings we invite you to contact us.