A Drop In The Ocean....

We all take it for granted that when we turn on the tap at home a plentiful stream of clean water appears.

• Each person in the UK uses about 160 litres of water a day, but only 15 litres are for drinking and cooking.

• We use 70% more water than we did 40 years ago, and in some areas of the UK rivers are being damaged because too much water is being taken out of them.

• Only 0.008% of the planet’s water is available for human consumption and is found in lakes, rivers and underground springs. At least 13% of that 0.008% is in Brazil in the Amazon Basin!!

Saving Water in the House

• A shower only uses one quarter of the water needed for a bath. If everyone in the UK took a shower instead of a bath then collectively we could save as much water in a week as it would take to fill Wembley Stadium 10 times.

• Try fitting an aerating shower head.  It works by mixing air in with the water, decreasing the water used by 30 per cent.  Your shower will feel exactly the same but you'll be saving on water and heating bills.

• Washing a mug under a running tap uses about a litre of water. Washing six mugs in this way uses about the same amount of water as a whole bowl of washing up, so put the plug in or wait until you have a full bowl of dishes to wash!

• A single washing machine cycle uses up to 120 litres of water (approx 26 gallons) - and the average family uses their washing machine five times a week. That’s over 31,000 litres (approx 6,800 gallons) in a year.  If you have an economy cycle or half load button, then use this.  The same applies to your dishwasher, a new one uses as little as 15 litres per wash compared to 50 litres on the old ones.  Always make sure your dishwasher is full before putting it on.

• A third of an average family’s water use is flushed down the toilet (the equivalent of two baths full of water a day). Use a flush saving device in your cistern to save a litre of water each time you flush. These devices are simple and are usually a packet containing crystals.  When you place the packet in your cistern, the water makes the crystals inside it expand,  this makes the packet swell which displaces water. This means that you use less water each time you flush.  Flush saving devices can be obtained free from the Severn Trent Water or Yorkshire Water websites depending on who supplies your water. 

•  If you have a dual flush cistern, you already have a water saving toilet! Use the ‘short' flush mechanism.

• Mend dripping taps - one drip per second wastes around 1,200 litres of water in a year; that’s around 4 litres a day; and 90 litres of water if the drips are breaking into a stream. Turn off taps your completely when they are not in use.

• Locate your stop tap so that you are prepared if you need to turn off your supply in an emergency.

• If everyone in the UK turned off the tap whilst brushing their teeth, we could collectively save as much water in a week as it would take to fill the O2 Arena.

• Consider having a water meter fitted especially if you live alone or as a couple.  It could save you a lot of money each year by paying for the water you actually use rather than a blanket charge.  Contact your water company to find out more. 

Saving Water in the Garden and Outside

• Strain away fats and food scraps and use your dishwater to water your plants, it also kills aphids.  For Severn Trent customers you can apply for a free fat trap, which are containers suitable to collect any cooled kitchen fat your produce in your home and helps to keep it out of the drains where it may cause blockages.

• A garden sprinkler uses approximately 1,000 litres of water each hour, the same amount as an average family would use over two days. This is unnecessary. Use a watering can to deliver water exactly where it is needed or, if needs be, a hand held hose as this is less likely to be forgotten and left to run for hours.

• Both Severn Trent Water and Yorkshire Water's policy is that customers who use a sprinkler, an automatic watering system or have a swimming pool must have a water meter fitted. See the Useful Numbers section below.

• Use a water butt to collect rainwater for use in the garden - but make sure it is safely positioned so it is out of the way of children. Water butts can be purchased from garden centres or from the discount schemes organised by your water company.

•  Don’t use a hose to wash your car as this wastes up to 300 litres or 33 buckets full of water.

• One way the water companies are doing their bit is by trying to reduce leakage from the system. if you see a leak, report it to your water company. See the Useful Numbers section below.

Useful Numbers

For more information on water meters ring:

To report a leak contact:

So, It may seem like a drop in the ocean, but these small changes really do make a huge difference - Make that change today!

Join the Great British Water Fight