Water

Metering & Bills

Water is an increasingly expensive resource. An average person uses at least 150 litres of water per day (equivalent to 20 buckets full).

• Look at your water bills and make a record of your water usage.

• If your water consumption isn’t monitored by a water meter, contact your local water company to see if it can install one. That way you only pay for the water you use.

Save Water In The Bathroom And When Washing Clothes

• About a third of water used in the home goes down the toilet. A modern toilet cistern uses considerably less water than an older standard 9 litre cistern. Fit a simple water saving device. Alternatively, put a litre bottle of water in your cistern - saving up to 20% each time you flush

• Contact your local water company to find out the availability of water saving devices for toilets

• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth

• A 5-minute shower uses about a third of the water of a bath. But remember that power showers can use more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes

• Half-load programmes on dishwashers and washing machines use more than half the water and energy of a full load. Wait until you have a full load before switching the machine on.

Save Water When Cooking

• Use the minimum amount of water required when you boil water in saucepans and kettles

• Wash vegetables and fruit in a bowl rather than under a running tap

Save Water Around The Home

• Dripping taps can waste up to 4 litres of water a day costing you at least £20 a year. Replace worn tap washers for a quick and cheap way of saving water

• Burst water pipes can cause serious damage as well as waste water. Ensure your water pipes and external taps are lagged in time for cold weather

Save Water Outside The Home

• Think about needing to wash the car. Use a bucket rather than a hose.

• Find out about water harvesting for domestic water use.

• Find out more about Gardening with less water

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