We Germans (at least the somewhat older generation) have been brought up to be thrifty. This sometimes shows itself in strange ways. One gets nervous, when in a movie, water is left running without it being used! Brushing your teeth while the water is left running is also difficult for us to accept.

The question remains, whether or not it is wise, to save so much water. As far as cutting down your costs, it certainly is, because although water is a well tested foodstuff, it is also not cheap. To be more precise, it's the waste-water that of course is paid for on your account.

So, are the people who collect rain water, to flush their toilets or even for use in the washing machine, doing the right thing? To save money, only partly correct because the sewage fees still have to be paid. Indeed, perhaps water is really that valuable that it is worthwhile saving it.

It is in fact, a precious commodity, just consider the concrete political disputes taking place over water. Wars about water-rights are becoming more and more probable. At the moment, the European Union is being suspected of wanting to privatise the water supply services. Apparently a very lucrative business, for which lobbying is seemingly worthwhile.

However, whether or not water should be saved, is questionable. Water does not simply get lost, it is returned, over and over again, in the shape of rain, snow or storms. Moreover, Germany hasn't done itself much of a favour in the last 20 years by using 20% less water. Now the sewers are having to be force-flushed more often, using drinking water of course.

So, should we return to the days of private car-washing? Not at all, that is definitely the wrong course to take. What we need, is less water pollution. Hence, take nice, long showers and pay plenty for them, that way the waste-water doesn't have time to stagnate in the sewage pipes. 12/12