Water conservation is an important and critical issue in Saudi Arabia. One routinely sees abuse of this precious commodity every day. Cars are washed daily, courtyards are hosed down daily, water is freely left running as dishes are washed and so on. Now I’m not saying that one shouldn’t wash their cars or hose down their courtyards for the dust and sand do collect quickly here. But there are better ways that these tasks can be accomplished while at the same time conserving water.
With conserving water in mind, I put together my own views and thoughts on the various ways one could introduce and initiate water conservation campaigns in the Kingdom:
“Don’t Tell Us TO Conserve Water, SHOW US HOW”
Simple program with consistent message most effective!
Questions which need answer in order to create most effective campaign which identifies and meets objectives:
Who is the target audience? What is sophistication/level of literacy of target audience?
What is preferred medium of client? (newspaper, posters, magazines, commercials/PSA’s, documentary, interviews, through entertainment/celebrities, interactive)
What is target language?
What is client’s budget?
What is way water usage is most abused?
Suggestions:
- Create theme with identifiable character which appears throughout each and every message/medium. (Repetition/reinforcement/branding of target message)
- Would client consider rebates to customers who demonstrate compliance?
- Need to have clear message which identifies problem of not conserving, why conservation is important and how to do so.
- Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid the purchase of recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
- Encourage your employer to promote water conservation at the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in the employee orientation manual and training program. (also emphasize how this complies with civic social responsibility CSR)
- Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults. (Ministry of Water can enter into collaborative program with schools and have a contest in which children create posters promoting conservation awareness which in turn are displayed at shopping malls, businesses, etc..)
- Create and widely disseminate press releases on water conservation.
- Create brochure of restrictions and helpful tips which are broadly disseminated.
Ways on reducing use:
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Repair faucets and leaky toilets.
- Do not leave water running while shaving or brushing teeth.
- Take shorter showers.
- When shampooing, turn off water while lathering hair.
- To conserve water in the kitchen, don’t let faucets run for washing or rinsing. Instead, fill a container with water or use the sink by stoppering the drain. Wash all the vegetables for a meal at the same time. When washing anything, use a brush, washcloth, or your hand to dislodge particles of dirt rather than relying on the force of water to do the job.
- Do not wash cars when water is in short supply. When washing the car, rinse it once, use a bucket of soapy water to wash it, and then give it one more quick rinse.
- Recycle — Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.
- Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.
- When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
- Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Try to do one thing each day that will result in a savings of water. Don’t worry if the savings is minimal. Every drop counts. And every person can make a difference. So tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers to “Turn it Off” and “Keep it Off”.
In Saudi Arabia a water conservation campaign should not only be directed to the Saudi nationals but also with messages that inform and teach the domestic help such as drivers and housemaids on the need and importance of water conservation.
Filed under: Economy, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi Living | 16 Comments »
