With the temperature rising each summer and water bills inching upwards, the time is ripe to reconsider our water usage habits. A little mindfulness and a few tweaks to our daily routines can yield significant savings—both environmentally and economically. Here, we explore some practical tips to help reduce water wastage at home.
The Peril of the Leaky Loo
Perhaps surprising to some, the toilet is often the most significant water waster in a typical British household. A seemingly harmless leaky loo can waste between 200 to 400 litres of water per day—that’s equivalent to five full bathtubs!
In the UK, around 5% of toilets are leaking, which contributes a staggering 88 million litres of water waste daily. Identifying a leaky loo is simple; look for a constant trickle of water into the bowl long after you’ve flushed. If you spot this, get the toilet fixed immediately, and you could save a significant amount on your water bill.
Tap Discipline While Cleaning Teeth
A running tap can consume six litres of water per minute. So, if you leave the tap running for the two minutes that you brush your teeth, you could be wasting around 12 litres of water—twice a day!
The solution is simple. Turn the tap off while brushing. This small habit change could save a family of four up to 35,000 litres of water per year. That’s enough water to fill a small swimming pool!
Embrace Short Showers
Showers are much more water-efficient than baths. However, a long, luxurious shower can sometimes use more water than a bath. By reducing your shower time by just one minute, you can save up to 9 litres of water. That’s nearly 3,300 litres saved over a year, or about 40 baths.
Even better, consider installing a water-efficient showerhead. They are designed to reduce the amount of water used by mixing in air with the flow. You can get a good one for around £20, and it could save a family of four as much as £70 on their water bills and £115 on energy bills annually.
Full Washing Loads, Always
Washing machines and dishwashers are essential appliances for busy families, but their water consumption can be alarming. The average washing machine uses 50 litres of water per cycle, and a dishwasher about 15 litres.
By ensuring that you only run these appliances when they’re full, you can significantly cut down on water use. Furthermore, consider investing in water-efficient appliances, which can save both water and energy.
The Wonder of the Water Butt
In the UK, where rain is not an unusual event, installing a water butt can save a significant amount of tap water. These containers collect rainwater from your roof gutters, which you can use for watering your garden or even washing your car!
By using a water butt, you can save up to 5,000 litres of water each year. That’s a considerable saving, particularly in the drier summer months when garden watering can account for 70% of all household water use.
Reducing water wastage in your home is not only beneficial for the environment, but it also saves you money. These tips are simple to implement but can have a profound impact. Start small, and before you know it, water conservation will become second nature.
Remember, every drop saved contributes to preserving our environment. So, let’s start saving water, one drop at a time.
