Water Log: Day 3 (Wednesday 1st August)

Disaster strikes! The thing I have dreaded most since starting this low-water lifestyle happens, I accidentally flush the toilet!

8 litres of prime shower-reserved water washed down a drain in one foul flush. Frustrated is not the word. Obviously it's nice to have a clean loo, but it's better to have a clean self and I have been fantasising about that shower... a lot.

Its has been a day of water extravagance all round, as I also take the plunge and tackle the Everest-like pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen. 3 litres is the minimum needed to fill the sink to about 3 inches deep, so I make do with this small amount of water.

Usually I fill the sink to the top, plonk all the dishes in and leave the tap running to rinse away every last bubble. I've had stand offs with my boyfriend before about this, he swears neglecting to rinse dishes is unlikely to kill you.

I had to take him at his word today and try the new method. In one way 3 litres of water is more than I've seen for a good few days, it was lovely to have my hands submerged in the cool wet sink. In another this was such a minuscule amount compared to usual, that I wondered how clean the dishes could really be.

They were clean, not sparkling, but clean. The water was black by the end with floating debris in it, but still it seemed a shame to let it run away, so I have saved it for another washing up session in the morning.

On the social front, I've decided against meeting the girls in Islington tonight, mainly because I'm snowed under with work. But also, when you're feeling grubby and your hair looks like WD40 has been poured on it, it takes some of the fun out of socialising. There's something really rejuvenating about showering, it clears the mind and makes you ready for excitement. I'm missing that.

Lots of people I've spoken to today have been offering tips and anecdotes about water. My sister, "have you heard about dry-shampoo, Boots own brand is best", I have and will most likely be getting some now that my shower is in jeopardy.

My mum tells me lots of stories about Ireland in the 50s, people carrying water for washing day and having a bath once a week. We're only a generation away from a time when water access wasn't taken for granted in the way it is now. Perhaps in a generation we can change people's habits again, I've read somewhere that schools teach children a H-2-Oh song as part of water education these days. "People did manage to stay clean" my mum tells me, which brings home what a novice I am at this game.

When I look in the mirror I notice that my lips are slightly chapped. I feel thirsty, but then I often do. My daily water intake is prodigious. I often sit with a 2 litre water bottle in front of me all day, necking it like an addict. Add to that a couple of pints of squash in the evenings, as well as tea, juice and lots of fruit and veg, and I'm probably well in excess of the recommended daily intake. I think my body is missing all this water.

I am missing water...

Must work harder tomorrow to try and save back some litres for the shower. This could be tough as my boyfriend's sister is coming to stay and quite rightly, he is uncomfortable about restricted toilet flushing with guests around. I'm determined to get the water from somewhere though.

Water used:
16 litres - 2 toilet flushes
3 litres - washing up
1.5 litres - drinking water
0.75 litre - cleaning teeth and retainers
0.5 litre - washing
0.25 litre - cup of tea

Total: 22 litres