Main heading

 :: ECO Home :: Finite Resources :: Funding Energy Efficiency :: Fuel Poverty :: Saving Water :: Saving Energy :: Energy Toolkit ::

Saving Water

Did you Know?

• We use around 155 litres of water each day on average, which is 70% more than 30 years ago. That's around 1600 pints of water a week each.
• By 2080 annual rainfall in England and Wales will have increased by 0-10%; in Scotland by 5-20%. However, there will be reductions in summer rainfall over much of England and Wales by 10-20%, when demand is also at its highest.(Source: UK Climate Impacts Programme - Climate Scenario Report)
• The probability of summer rainfall being less than half of required levels could increase from once every century to once every 10 years. (Source: UK Climate Impacts Programme - Climate Scenario Report)

Doing your bit - In the Home

• Have showers instead of baths and reduce the amount of water used by a third.
• Don't leave the tap running when you brush your teeth and save 18 litres of water each time.
• Repair dripping taps- one drip per second wastes 12000 litres a year.
• Install a Save-Flush into your cistern and reduce the amount of water flushed down the toilet.
• Two half loads in a washing machine uses more water than one full load and saves electricity costs too!

Doing your bit - In the Garden

• In half an hour, a garden sprinkler uses as much water as a family of four in a day. Use a hose or a watering can instead.
• Once a week is all the water your lawn needs even in the hottest weather. Over-watering can weaken your lawn by encouraging roots to seek the surface
• When choosing plants consider drought resistant varieties which need less water.
• Collect rain in a water butt to use in the garden - rainwater is better for plants.

Doing your bit - Washing the Car

Using a hose to wash your car wastes up to 300 litres or 33 bucketsful of water.