Individual Actions
SOCIETY BENEFITS
Reduced water shortagesECONOMY BENEFITS
Using less water will reduce your water bills!ENVIROMENTAL BENEFITS
Less water means, less energy for pumpingAdvice
The types of actions you can undertake are:
1. Contact your water company to ask about free or cheap water saving devices you can place in your 9litre toilet cistern. Typical devices are Save-a-flush (a bag of harmless crystals) or a Hippo, saving between 2,000 and 5,000 litres per person per year*
2. When buying a new dishwasher or washing machine, choose one that is energy efficient as this saves water and electricity. Machines with an 'A' rating sign are the most economical.
3. Use a watering can instead of a hose for your plants it's more accurate, placing the water where it does most good**
4. Fix leaking taps. A dripping tap can waste up to 140 litres a week*
5. A bucket and sponge is a far more water-efficient way of cleaning the car
6. Make sure your washing machine has a full-load before use. If you have to wash a half-load, then use the 'economy' mode.
7. Having a shower everyday instead of a bath can save over 300 litres of water a week. Be careful though, a power shower can use more water than a bath*
8. Don't use a running tap to wash your hands, dishes or vegetables put the plug in or use a basin instead. Remember to gave any vegetables a final rinse before cooking**
9. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth with the tap running wastes 6 litres per minute*
10. Defrost food in the fridge or the microwave, not under a running tap**
11. If you have a water meter, check for leaks by turning off the water and taking two readings several minutes apart. If the readings are different there may be a leak*
*from Thames water website
**from Scottish water website
