Around half the homes in the UK are fitted with water meters which measure the amount of water you use and just like your gas and electricity supplier, your water company will bill you for the amount of water that you use. Therefore, it makes sense for both your pocket and the environment to save water wherever you can. In this article we share some top tips for saving water.
Taps
When cleaning your teeth, turn the tap off, this way you will save around 6 litres of water per minute.
If you think about it, running the hot tap until warm water comes through is a waste, as invariably the water is then too warm and we then add cold water. Doesn’t make much sense, does it?
For a refreshing glass of water whenever you need it, place a bottle of tap water in your fridge, this will prevent you needing to run the tap to get a cold drink!
Running taps waste around 6 litres of water per minute according to Friends of the Earth.
A leak, no matter how small in appearance could be costing you and the environment a fortune! Fix leaking taps and pipes to avoid pouring money down the drain. Did you know that a leaky tap, just dripping 10 drips per minute wastes around 109 litres of water in a month, that’s more than a bath full.
Shower versus Bath
Opting for a shower rather than a bath is another way in which you can save a lot of water. Isn’t it? Not necessarily, a shower, if left to run too long can use more water and electricity than a bath. According to thisismoney.co.uk “an eight-minute power shower drinks up around 136 litres of hot water” whereas a bath holds around 80 litres. Be an eco-warrior and either take shorter showers or relax and enjoy a soak in the bath!
Quick Flush
Use the quick flush option on your loo to save 1-3 litres of water every time you flush.
Boil Just What You Need
When grabbing a cup of your favourite beverage, boil only the water that you need. This will save water and energy. Double monetary and environmental savings!
Washing Clothes and Dishes
Do your bit to save the planet and save up your dirty washing! A full washing load will use less water and energy than 2 half loads. The same goes for your dishwasher, wait until you have a full load before putting it on.
Rinsing Food
Use a bowl of water to wash food products, this can then be reused in the garden.
Reduce Food Waste
It can be hard to spot the link between saving water and reducing food waste, the waterwise.org.uk site claims that around 70% of freshwater withdrawal is used by agriculture. By reducing food waste you are reducing the demand, saving up to £540 per year.
Install a Water Butt
A water butt can hold up to 200 litres of water and, according to the RHS, rainwater is much better for your plants as it “often has a lower pH. The minerals that are sometimes found in mains water, especially in hard water areas can raise the pH of your root zone, which can affect the nutrient availability.” You can read more advice from the RHS about collecting and storing water for your garden here.
If this article has you thirsting (sorry we couldn’t resist) to learn more about saving water, whether you are at home, at work or in school, there is a wealth of water saving advice and resources available on the waterwise.org.uk website.
