Transport ministry bats for aerators to save tap water

“We can reduce the water usage while washing hands in toilets and canteens if a contraption called aerator, which is easily available in the open market and through online shopping, is attached to the taps. It can save up to 80 per cent of water in every use,” the Ministry said in a recent circular to its offices across the country.

The purpose of an aerator or flow regulator is to maintain a constant rate of water flow, which is not affected by pressure fluctuations.  The circular from the ministry stated that aerators may be installed in taps in toilets at all offices to save water. “As we are aware, water is not an infinite resource and sources of water get dwindled day by day. Some areas of the country have already come into the category of severe to critical due to over-exploitation and soon these areas may reach “Day Zero”. Hence there is an urgent need to conserve every drop of water,” it said. 

The ministry said, Rainwater Harvesting Structures like dug wells, bore wells, recharge trenches and recharge pits are built in every premises so that rainwater is conserved and used to recharge the groundwater. The ministry had estimated to save 61.60 lakh litres of rainwater through rainwater harvesting on a one km stretch of the National Highway, considering the country’s average annual rainfall is 1,100 mm.