Top tips for saving water

Changes in the way we live our lives, population growth and climate change are placing increasing demands on our water supplies. It’s important that we do not take this precious resource for granted and that we all use water wisely to ensure that there is enough for everyone in years to come. Start now and create good habits as water conservation will grow as an issue in the coming years.

How much do we use?

• In the UK, every person uses 155 litres of water a day that is roughly 70% more than 30 years ago
• In developing countries each person uses only 20 litres a day
• 1/3 of household water is used to flush the toilet
• On average, people flush the toilet 5.2 times a day.
• Washing machines and dishwashers used over 500 billion litres of water in the UK in 2000 alone (94% was used by washing machines). Recent predictions show that consumption is set to rise by an additional 100 billion litres by the year 2020.
• Just taking a five minute shower very day, instead of a bath, will use a third of the water, saving up to 400 litres a week.
• A dripping tap could waste as much as 90 litres a week.

*Figures based on bucket with 5 litres capacity

How to save water

General

• Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.
• Installing a water meter can save you water and money by monitoring how much you use. Many water companies are encouraging users to have meters installed. If you have a water meter, check for leaks by turning off the water and taking two readings several minutes apart. If the readings are different there may be a leak.
• Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off properly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
• Lag your pipes to avoid bursts and leave your heating on a low setting while you are out in cold weather to prevent pipes freezing.
• Make sure you and everyone in your house know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst. It’s usually either under the sink, in the hall, bathroom, or garage. Be sure you can turn it on and off too. Test it now.
• Think about insulating your hot water pipes too. A lot of water can be wasted by running taps whilst waiting for the water to get hot. If there is a long pipe run between your hot water tank and a basin or sink, think about installing a separate water heater.

In the kitchen

Cooking

• Use a bowl for preparing vegetables rather than running them under the tap
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
• The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
• Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• If you’re gasping for a cup of tea, you’ll get one quicker if you only boil the amount you need and it will save electricity too.
• Keep a container of water (a jug or a bottle) in the fridge so that you won't need to run the water down the sink until it's cool enough to drink.
• Every time you boil an egg save the cooled water for your houseplants. They'll benefit from the nutrients released from the shell.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.

Washing up and cleaning

• Use a bowl rather than the sink for washing up and don't do it under a running tap under a running tap and use another bowl full of clean water to rinse. Use both sides of a double sink.
• Strain away any fats and food scraps from your dishwater and use the remaining water on your plants. This will not harm your plants. In fact, this type of water is excellent for getting rid of aphids
• Always try to use the plug and don't let the tap run when you're washing your hands or washing up
• Try to avoid rinsing dishes in the sink before loading them into your dishwasher
• Try to use the dishwasher only when you have a full load
• When cleaning the kitchen, turn the tap on only when you’re ready to rinse down. You’ll use less water by filling a bucket or washing up bowl instead of rinsing the cloth under running water.
• Use a sink strainer.
• Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products - there's a great range to choose from these days and they're much better for our environment.
• When buying a new dishwasher, choose one that is energy efficient as this saves on water and electricity. Machines with an ‘A’ rating are most economical.
• You can use less water by turning the hot tap down, rather than the cold tap up, if you require cooler water.

Washing clothes

• If you are considering buying a new washing appliance look for the European Eco label. The symbol indicates that the appliance is energy efficient. Energy efficiency usually, but not always, means water efficiency too. To be absolutely sure, check with the manufacturer. Front loading washing machines use up to 33% less water than top loaders. Machines with 'A' ratings are the most economical.
• Hand washing woollen items does the job just as well as machine washing and saves several litres of water
• Try to use washing machines and dishwashers only when you have a full load – a full load uses less water than two half loads. Alternatively, if your machine has a half load button, use this when you can. The average wash needs about 95 litres.
• Use the economy setting if your machine has one.
• Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.

In the bathroom

Baths, showers and sinks

• Check the temperature of your bath as it fills reduces the amount of water you use and cold water you have to add .
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• If you haven’t got a shower, the cost of installation could pay for itself quickly from the savings you make if you’re on a water meter, not to mention the reduced fuel costs. But beware, fast flow “Power Showers”, usually consume more water than a bath.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons a month and it could help you get to work on time!
• Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.
• Please don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth. Always rinse using a glass of water. You’ll save up to between 4-9 litres.
• When cleaning the bathroom, turn the tap on only when you’re ready to rinse down. You’ll use less water by filling a bucket or washing up bowl instead of rinsing the cloth under running water.
• When buying a new bathroom suite you could save money if you consider how much water it takes to fill the bath and flush the toilet.
• If you wet shave - to rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
• Bathe your young children together.
• Drop that tissue in the wastebin instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

Loos

• If you've an older or larger toilet cistern then there are several ways you may be able to save water. First check with your water company as many of them will give you a device or gadget free to help you.
• an easy way to save water during flushes is to fill a plastic bottle or bag with water and carefully place it in the cistern.
• Fitting a Save-a-flush (a bag of harmless crystals) in your toilet cistern if you have a 7-9 liter flush can save up to 1 litre per flush. That’s a saving of nearly 2,000 litres per person per year.*
• Installing a Hippo (designed to work in toilet cisterns with a 9 litre flush or greater) saves around 3 litres per flush and could save up to 5,000 litres per person per year.*
• If you have a dual flush toilet use the appropriate flush and encourage guests and family to do the same Dual flush toilets give the option of a short flush and a long flush. There's usually either the choice of two buttons to press, or you can hold the handle down for a longer flush. Dual flush toilets do not need any type of cistern device.
• Toilet cisterns installed since 1993 should already be water efficient and therefore do not need any type of cistern device. The average slimline toilet cistern has a 4.5 litre flush.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
  

* If you find your toilet is not flushing properly, please remove your Save-a-flush/Hippo.

In the garden

General