Let’s say it clearly: water is a precious commodity. They have been telling us this for years and, today more than ever, we know it well. Yet, every morning, while we wait for the shower water to get hot, liters and liters flow away in vain. Without us really realizing it.
According to some research, a shower consumes on average 35 liters of water, compared to around 100 liters for a bath. And among the main tips is to turn off the tap while we soap ourselves. But there is another silent waste that we don’t talk about much: the cold water that we let flow before it reaches the right temperature.
This is where BERGVATTNET, the new range launched by IKEA, comes in: a simple, accessible and surprisingly concrete system for recovering, measuring and redirecting shower water without any kind of invasive work.
A simple and effective system
The strength of BERGVATTNET lies precisely in its simplicity. It is a trio of elements designed to work together, but understandable at first glance. The first is an 8-litre corner bucket, sold for 7.95 euros. It sits in the corner of the shower and collects cold water that would normally go down the drain while we wait for it to heat up. Eight liters are not a few: they can become up to three toilet flushes or water for the plants in the house or on the balcony. It has a solid handle, a spout for easy pouring of water and even a small removable shelf to place shampoo and body wash. It is discreet, takes up little space and is accessible to everyone.
The second element is the digital meter, offered at 39.95 euros. It shows in real time how much water we are consuming, for how long and at what temperature. Seeing the numbers changes your perspective. It makes us aware. And awareness, when it comes to sustainability, is already half the job. The timer automatically restarts if we turn off the water for less than two minutes, encouraging a virtuous habit. IKEA even suggests turning saving into a small family challenge: who will be able to take the “lightest” shower?
The third component is the automatic diverter, on sale for 29.95 euros. Until the water reaches 32 degrees, it is diverted to the hose connected to the bucket. As soon as the temperature is adequate, the flow is redirected to the shower. Without manual intervention. Without improvised sketches. The hose fits perfectly into the bucket and everything works together. It’s a simple principle: if water has to flow anyway, at least let’s not throw it away.
How it works
The good news is that you don’t need to redo the plumbing. The meter screws between the mixer and the shower hose. The diverter is mounted at the same level, always on the mixer. The bucket simply sits on the ground, in the corner.
What is striking about this proposal is its pragmatism. It’s not some futuristic technology with a prohibitive price. They are concrete accessories, with low costs, which help to change daily habits. And we know well that the ecological transition starts right there: through gestures repeated every day.
BERGVATTNET is already available in some stores, in a limited edition. And the question, at this point, is simple: how much water do we let flow every week without even thinking about it? We may not be able to solve the global water crisis alone, but we can start with our shower. And transform an invisible waste into a conscious choice.
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