Whether you are one of the 24 million people set to be affected by a hosepipe ban or not, it is a good idea for us all to save water wherever we can. And in a time when many families have invested their hard-earned money on hot tubs and paddling pools, water saving can be a challenge.
If you have a leak – no matter how big or small – now is the time to get it fixed. Just one dripping tap wastes on average 3 litres of water a day; this not only is a dreadful waste of perfectly good water, but you are paying for it - literally pouring money down the drain.
If you do have a leak, get in touch with a local plumber to fix it ASAP. In the meantime, pop a bowl, bucket or watering can beneath it so that you can reuse the water in the garden.
Drinking water really needs to be at the right temperature to be refreshing, so it makes sense to run the tap for a few seconds before you fill your glass. But that few seconds several times a day quickly adds up.
Fill a jug with water and keep it in the fridge so that you can have refreshing cold water with no waste.
Washing fruit and veg may be essential, but there is no need to waste the water.
Wash fruit and veg in a bowl and save the water to water your garden.
Washing machines and dishwashers may save us time and effort, but they can use a lot of water, particularly if your machine is older and less environmentally friendly.
Avoid putting the machine on until you have a full load – and choose the eco setting.
A long, luxurious bath at the end of a hot day may seem bliss, but it uses twice as much water as a shower.
Shower instead of bathing when possible. For babies and small children, invest in a baby bath which should see you use about half as much water.
Flush if you must – Nobody likes leaving the toilet unflushed, but at anything from 1.5-7 gallons of water per flush (depending on the age of your toilet), you could save some serious water by skipping a flush or two.
Install a water saving device to your cistern and you could save up to 3 litres a flush.
If you are unsure of how to save water, or your water bill seems mysteriously high, get in touch with a local plumber who will be able to assess your property for potential leaks.
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