Water Saving Tips

With just a handful of small changes you could save water, help the environment, and save money on your water bills.

Water is a precious resource, and demand increases—especially in warmer months—putting pressure on local supplies. Using a little less each day helps ensure there’s enough for everyone, now and in the future.

• The average person in the UK uses around 140–150 litres of water per day
• 1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres of water, which is roughly:
  • 10–12 baths
  • Around 25–30 short showers
  • Over 100 toilet flushes

You can keep track of how much water you use each day to see how you compare, by filling out our Water Audit Checklist which can be found here.

• Wait for a full load before using appliances
  • Running a washing machine or dishwasher with a full load is more efficient than multiple smaller loads
• Use a bowl instead of running water
  • Washing fruit, vegetables, or dishes in a bowl instead of under a running tap can save several litres per minute
• Save and reuse water where possible
  • For example, collect water while waiting for it to reach the right temperature and reuse it in your garden

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
  • A running tap typically uses around 5–10 litres of water per minute (sometimes more depending on pressure).
• Take shorter showers
  • Cutting just one minute from your shower can save around 10–15 litres of water
• Use slightly less bathwater
  • Reducing the water level slightly (e.g. by an inch) can save several litres each time, depending on your bath size
• Fix leaking toilets and taps
  • Even small leaks can waste hundreds of litres a day, potentially adding over £100 a year to your bill if left unchecked.

• Use a watering can instead of a hose
  • A hosepipe or sprinkler can use hundreds of litres per hour, depending on flow rate
• Water your plants early in the morning or late in the day
  • This reduces water loss through evaporation
• Install a water butt
  • Collecting rainwater is an effective way to water plants without using mains water
• Reuse water where safe
  For example, paddling pool water can be reused to water plants or clean outdoor areas

For more tips and advice on how to save water please download our water saving flyer.

Download Here