10 TIPS TO SAVE WATER
GET A LOW-FLUSH TOILET
Dual-flush toilets typically use 4–6 litres of water as opposed to the old-style flush systems, which use 13 litres per flush.
CHECK YOUR PIPES AREN’T LEAKING
When water runs from the cistern into the pan it can double your water bill. Check the rubber valve hasn’t worn out and get it replaced if it has.
BATH OR SHOWER?
A bath typically uses around 80 litres, while a short shower can use a third of that. But many power-showers may use more than a bath. Run your bath an inch shorter to save five litres of water.
GET AN EFFICIENT SHOWERHEAD
Aerated showerheads add air to displace some water without losing pressure. Low-flow showerheads use less water but squeeze it through tiny holes to retain pressure.
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
On average, we spend eight minutes in the shower, when a four-minute rinse should suffice. Even spending one minute less saves a lot of water.
GET A WATEREFFICIENT WASHING MACHINE
Try to buy an A-rated one, which typically uses 56 litres of water per cycle, compared with 170 litres for older models.
DON’T USE YOUR DISHWASHER UNTIL IT’S FULL
Again, choose an A-rated model, which uses 18 litres a cycle, compared to 27 litres for less efficient dishwashers.
WASH DISHES AND VEGETABLES OVER A WASHING BOWL
This saves on wasted water, and water collected from a running tap can be reused on your garden.
DON’T USE TAP WATER FOR YOUR GARDEN
Buy a water butt to collect rainfall for your lawn and plants. Up to 90,000 litres of rain falls on a roof every year – enough to fill a butt 473 times.
TURN THE TAP OFF WHEN BRUSHING YOUR TEETH
A running tap wastes six litres per minute.