Save and recycling water

Life without water isn't possible. But every day in the UK we take it for granted. With no water we wouldn't be able to wash, cook, clean or drink. We'd have no food, toilets, shower, washing machine, or many of the mod-cons we take for granted every day. Do what you can to save water and recycle it where you can.

1. Fix leaking taps and water pipes. A little drip will add up to buckets of water over time.
2. When you wash the dishes, turn the tap off between rinsing.
3. Don't rinse dishes before placing in the dishwasher, this is what the dishwasher will do.
4. Don't keep the tap running when brushing your teeth otherwise you'll lose gallons of wasted water.
5. Do take a shower instead of bath and use a fraction of water in comparison.
6. Approximately a third of water per day is used to flush the loo. By filling a one litre bottle of water and placing it in the water system, you'll save a litre of water with every flush.
7. Use a brush to keep garden paths clean and tidy instead of wasting water hosing it down.

1. Connect a water butt at the end of your roof drain to catch rain water. Use this to water the garden and plants. Bid on a water butt and create your very own micro-reservoir. Compare prices...
2. Water in-door plants with the dregs of empty glasses of water.
3. If you are waiting for the shower to warm up, place a bucket under the shower so as not to waste water. This can be used for cooking, the garden, flushing the loo etc... Simply fit a device which allows you to divert your used bath or shower water. Buy a 'Water Two' device from www.watertwo.co.uk for only £27.95.
4. Get more information on how to beat the hosepipe ban.

1. If you plan to water your lawn and garden, do it in the early morning or evening as this will reduce evaporation and keep the soil moist for longer.
2. Set the blades higher on your lawn mower to keep the grass longer, moister and a habitat for fauna.
3. Garden sprinklers are great if you haven't got time to water the garden yourself, but not great for the environment. The water doesn't necessarily go where it's supposed to, and the sprinkler uses more water than necessary.
4. Use mulch to cut down on water use and control weeds.
5. Use broken crockery (sometimes found in garden centres) as drainage in the bottom of pots.

Get great gardening hints and tips from David Domoney, and find out how to build a bird table.

• Quirky garden tips
• Build a bird table