In Your Home
How can you save water?
Some general hints and tips that may help
IN THE BATHROOM
Have a shower instead of a bath
- A full bath uses up to 80 litres of water whereas a 5-minute normal shower uses about 35 litres, saving 45 litres of water.
- A 5-minute power shower uses about 60 litres, which still saves 20 litres of water when compared to a full bath.
Save water when you flush the toilet
- You can reduce the amount of water used when flushing by fitting a Hippo or Save a Flush device depending on the capacity of your cistern (we give you advice on this in our Water Saving Devices page). However, when used in more modern toilets the Hippo device may give rise to a need for double-flushing, so should be removed and avoided.
Brushing teeth the water efficient way
- Remember to turn off the tap whilst you are actually brushing. This could save about 3.5 litres each time you brush your teeth.
- By using a glass to hold a small amount of water for rinsing your mouth you can save about 4 litres of water each time you brush your teeth.
Water efficient hand and face washing
- Remembering to put the plug in your wash basin can save about 2 litres of water each time you wash your hands and/ or face.
IN THE KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY
Washing machines and dishwashers
- When buying new machines choose water efficient models. You may also save on energy costs, as they are likely to be more energy efficient.
- It is better to wait until you have a full load before switching on, as one full load generally uses less water than two half-loads.
Washing up by hand
- Use a bowl when washing up instead of a running tap. You can save about 5 litres of water per wash.
- If possible, wait until you have enough dirty dishes etc. to fill your bowl.
Preparing food
- Use a bowl when preparing your vegetables instead of a running tap. You can save about 5 litres of water each time.
- Why not recycle this water for use in the garden?
Waste disposal units
- Waste disposal units use a lot of water to wash away food waste.
- You can make better use of this waste, and save lots of water at the same time, by putting your vegetable peelings on a compost heap.
Drinking water
- Running the tap until the water is cold enough for drinking wastes a lot of water. Why not collect this water and use it for something else, e.g. houseplant and garden watering, or washing up.
- When boiling water in your kettle, only fill the kettle with the water you need, ensuring the element is fully covered.
OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Washing your car
- Using a hosepipe to wash your car uses a lot of water. Much of this falls on the floor and is wasted. Pressure washers waste even more.
- Instead of using a hosepipe or pressure washer, use a bucket when shampooing your car and a watering can when rinsing off the soap.
- If you must use a hosepipe, ensure that it is fitted with a trigger nozzle that will stop the flow of water when it is released. This will prevent water running to waste.