Top tips for saving water

*Figures based on bucket with 5 litres capacity

How to save water

General

• Do one thing each day that will save water. Even if savings are small, every drop counts.
• Installing a water meter can save you water and money by monitoring how much you use. Many water companies are encouraging users to have meters installed. 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.
• Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off properly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
• Lag your pipes to avoid bursts and leave your heating on a low setting while you are out in cold weather to prevent pipes freezing.
• Make sure you and everyone in your house know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst. It’s usually either under the sink, in the hall, bathroom, or garage. Be sure you can turn it on and off too. Test it now.
• Think about insulating your hot water pipes too. A lot of water can be wasted by running taps whilst waiting for the water to get hot. If there is a long pipe run between your hot water tank and a basin or sink, think about installing a separate water heater.

In the kitchen

Cooking

• Use a bowl for preparing vegetables rather than running them under the tap
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
• The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
• Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• If you’re gasping for a cup of tea, you’ll get one quicker if you only boil the amount you need and it will save electricity too.
• Keep a container of water (a jug or a bottle) in the fridge so that you won't need to run the water down the sink until it's cool enough to drink.
• Every time you boil an egg save the cooled water for your houseplants. They'll benefit from the nutrients released from the shell.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.

Washing up and cleaning

• Use a bowl rather than the sink for washing up and don't do it under a running tap under a running tap and use another bowl full of clean water to rinse. Use both sides of a double sink.
• Strain away any fats and food scraps from your dishwater and use the remaining water on your plants. This will not harm your plants. In fact, this type of water is excellent for getting rid of aphids
• Always try to use the plug and don't let the tap run when you're washing your hands or washing up
• Try to avoid rinsing dishes in the sink before loading them into your dishwasher
• Try to use the dishwasher only when you have a full load
• When cleaning the kitchen, turn the tap on only when you’re ready to rinse down. You’ll use less water by filling a bucket or washing up bowl instead of rinsing the cloth under running water.
• Use a sink strainer.
• Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products - there's a great range to choose from these days and they're much better for our environment.
• When buying a new dishwasher, choose one that is energy efficient as this saves on water and electricity. Machines with an ‘A’ rating are most economical.
• You can use less water by turning the hot tap down, rather than the cold tap up, if you require cooler water.

Washing clothes

• If you are considering buying a new washing appliance look for the European Eco label. The symbol indicates that the appliance is energy efficient. Energy efficiency usually, but not always, means water efficiency too. To be absolutely sure, check with the manufacturer. Front loading washing machines use up to 33% less water than top loaders. Machines with 'A' ratings are the most economical.
• Hand washing woollen items does the job just as well as machine washing and saves several litres of water
• Try to use washing machines and dishwashers only when you have a full load – a full load uses less water than two half loads. Alternatively, if your machine has a half load button, use this when you can. The average wash needs about 95 litres.
• Use the economy setting if your machine has one.
• Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.

In the bathroom

Baths, showers and sinks

• Check the temperature of your bath as it fills reduces the amount of water you use and cold water you have to add .
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• If you haven’t got a shower, the cost of installation could pay for itself quickly from the savings you make if you’re on a water meter, not to mention the reduced fuel costs. But beware, fast flow “Power Showers”, usually consume more water than a bath.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1,000 gallons a month and it could help you get to work on time!
• Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair and you can save more than 50 gallons a week.
• Please don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth. Always rinse using a glass of water. You’ll save up to between 4-9 litres.
• When cleaning the bathroom, turn the tap on only when you’re ready to rinse down. You’ll use less water by filling a bucket or washing up bowl instead of rinsing the cloth under running water.
• When buying a new bathroom suite you could save money if you consider how much water it takes to fill the bath and flush the toilet.
• If you wet shave - to rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
• Bathe your young children together.
• Drop that tissue in the wastebin instead of flushing it and save gallons every time.

Loos

• If you've an older or larger toilet cistern then there are several ways you may be able to save water. First check with your water company as many of them will give you a device or gadget free to help you.
• an easy way to save water during flushes is to fill a plastic bottle or bag with water and carefully place it in the cistern.
• Fitting a Save-a-flush (a bag of harmless crystals) in your toilet cistern if you have a 7-9 liter flush can save up to 1 litre per flush. That’s a saving of nearly 2,000 litres per person per year.*
• Installing a Hippo (designed to work in toilet cisterns with a 9 litre flush or greater) saves around 3 litres per flush and could save up to 5,000 litres per person per year.*
• If you have a dual flush toilet use the appropriate flush and encourage guests and family to do the same Dual flush toilets give the option of a short flush and a long flush. There's usually either the choice of two buttons to press, or you can hold the handle down for a longer flush. Dual flush toilets do not need any type of cistern device.
• Toilet cisterns installed since 1993 should already be water efficient and therefore do not need any type of cistern device. The average slimline toilet cistern has a 4.5 litre flush.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
  

* If you find your toilet is not flushing properly, please remove your Save-a-flush/Hippo.

In the garden

General

• Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.
• Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
li>Purchasing a water butt will help you to collect rain water for use on the garden. Some water companies might give you the chance to buy a cheap water butt so try there first - if not you can buy a water butt on eBay. Rainwater is better for plants anyway. Only use mains tap water as a last resort.
• Direct downspouts and other runoff towards shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.
• Avoid installing ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation. Recirculate water in ponds and fountains and incorporate a filter system.
• Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.
• When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
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• Trigger nozzles can save water by using it only when needed. This can save up to 225 litres a week.
• We're more likely to notice leaky taps indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor taps, pipes and hoses for leaks.
• Watch the weather forecast and save washing-up water for gardening on dry days.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, paths, patios, pavement, or street.
• Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
• Start a compost pile. Using compost when you plant adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.

Lawns

• Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
• Once a week is all the watering your lawn needs even in the hottest weather. Over-watering can weaken your lawn by encouraging roots to seek the surface.
• Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
• Grow your grass a little longer. It will stay greener than a close mown lawn and need less watering.
• Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
• Water your garden at the coolest part of the day to reduce evaporation.
• Sprinklers can be wasteful. It doesn't take long for a sprinkler to soak your lawn thoroughly. A sprinkler can use as much water in an hour as a family of four will use in a day.
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden with a hose.

Plants

• Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• Hoeing stimulates the growth of plants, reduces water loss from the soil surface and removes weeds that take up valuable water and nutrients.
• Xeriscape means 'to landscape for water conservation.' The idea is to use plants that require less water. You can also utilise objects for decorative effect such as rocks, bricks, benches and gravel.
• Mulch for moisture in the garden. Adding a layer of tree bark, compost, coconut husks or even newspaper keeps the sun off the soil and retains precious moisture. No further watering is usually required for established trees and shrubs.
• Question your local garden centre about the water requirements of different plants. Some thrive in drier conditions.
• More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary.
• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
• Moist seed beds, well mulched soil and strict weed control reduce the need for summer watering. Look for modern ‘non-bolting’ varieties of salad crops and remember that overhead sprinklers can damage the crop, as droplets act as lenses scorching the leaves.
• Watering trees: Drought very rarely kills healthy established trees. Soak the roots at planting, keep them watered through the first summer and their shade will help save water in the future.

Other

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Don't buy recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car and save more than 100 gallons.
• While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.

Useful Links

Weather forecasts

A tool from Thames Water for calculating How much water do you use

How to save money on household bills

Save energy

Information compiled from a variety of sources including Thames Water; Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency.