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How to save water at home

Water is one of our most precious resources, yet it is often taken for granted.

With increasing water scarcity and rising utility bills, finding ways to save water at home is more important than ever. Not only can this help reduce your household expenses, but it also contributes significantly to environmental conservation.

Here are some practical tips to help you save water…

Saving water in the kitchen

Drinking and cooking

Keep a large bottle of tap water in the fridge for easy access to chilled water. Instead of pouring leftover water from glasses down the drain, use it to water your plants! Remember to fill the kettle with only the amount of water you need, to save both water and energy. Covering saucepans with lids while cooking reduces water loss through evaporation and speeds up the cooking process, so is a win-win.

Fix those leaks

A dripping tap can waste a significant amount of water over time. Make it a priority to fix any leaks as soon as they are detected - often, these small repairs are simple and inexpensive. Reducing water waste helps maintain local water levels and ensures that this vital resource is conserved.

Washing up

Contrary to popular belief, dishwashers often use less water than washing dishes by hand, especially if you have a newer, energy-efficient model which can save on electricity use too. Ensure the dishwasher is full before running it to maximise water savings, and run it during off-peak hours for cheaper energy use. Skip pre-rinsing your dishes; modern detergents are designed to work effectively with just a quick scrape. To save water, consider using a washing-up bowl or plug in your sink, which can cut water waste by up to 50%. Installing a tap aerator can also help by reducing the water flow.

Laundry

Surveys reveal that most laundry loads are actually smaller than the washing machine's maximum capacity. To maximise efficiency, add a few more items to each load. When buying a washing machine, check the specifications for water usage; the best models typically use less than 7.5 liters per kilogram of laundry. Consult your manual to identify the most water-efficient cycles, as you could also save money on your water bill by opting for an eco program.

Saving water in the bathroom

Showers

Baths and showers use the most water in our homes - making up around 34% of our water use. Switching to water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showerheads, taps and dual-flush toilets can dramatically reduce water usage without sacrificing performance. Aerated showerheads reduce the flow but don’t compromise on pressure, by mixing air with water for steady, even spray. Taking shorter showers is an easy and effective way to save water. Aim to keep showers under five minutes, and consider turning off the water while lathering up. Reducing shower time saves water and the energy required to heat it, benefiting both the environment and your wallet.

Toilets

Toilets account for about 30% of a household's total water usage, using the same high-quality water that comes from our taps. Dual flush toilets offer a split flush button, allowing you to select the amount of water needed per flush. These toilets typically use 4-6 liters per flush - compared to the old models that use around 13 liters. A Cistern Displacement Device (CDD) is installed in your cistern saves about 1 liter of water per flush, potentially saving up to 5000 liters annually. These devices are easy to install and often available for free from water companies. Avoid flushing cotton wool balls, makeup wipes, sanitary products or nappies in your toilet. Disposing of these items in the bin reduces water waste and protects our sewers. Follow the 3 P rule: only flush poo, pee, and paper.

Leaky loos

Leaky toilets, where clean water runs from the cistern into the pan, can often go unnoticed but are a significant source of water waste - up to 146,000 liters annually from a single toilet! To detect a slow leak, add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet cistern and wait an hour without flushing. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. Contact your water company, who might fix it for free, or consult a plumber. After fixing, check again for leaks.

Taps

Always turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, as a running tap can waste about 6 liters of water per minute. A dripping tap can also waste around 5,500 liters of water annually - often, this issue can be resolved by simply replacing the washer, so you don't even need to call a plumber.

Saving water in the garden

Install a water butt

A water butt is an excellent way to collect and store rainwater that falls onto your roof, and would normally run down your gutters and into the drain. This water can then be used for gardening, cleaning, and even flushing toilets. By using a water butt, you can reduce your reliance on mains water and lower your water bill. Collecting rainwater also helps to reduce runoff, which can mitigate flooding and erosion in your local area.

Watering plants

The best time to water your garden is during the early morning or late evening, to reduce evaporation. Additionally, use mulch or bark around plants to retain moisture in the soil, and choose native plants that require less water and are more resilient to local climate conditions - this can reduce their watering needs, and helps maintain healthy ecosystems by supporting native flora. Consider incorporating drought-resistant plants and perennials for a more resilient garden in the summer. Reusing bathwater in the garden is a great idea, but remember to use it immediately and avoid applying it to fruits, vegetables, or areas where children play. Check the weather forecast before watering; many plants can last a day without water, and if rain is expected tomorrow, you can skip watering today. Attaching a trigger nozzle to your hosepipe can halve water usage by only targetting the root of your plants, and watering cans are more efficient than sprinklers, delivering the exact amount needed to your plants.

Grass

Hoses and sprinklers use about 1000 liters of water per hour, equivalent to more than 12 baths! It's perfectly fine to let your grass turn brown during dry spells - it will recover as soon as it rains. If you must use a sprinkler, do so in the early morning or late afternoon when evaporation rates are lower. While artificial turf might seem like a water-saving option since it doesn't need watering, it's actually not very water-efficient. Manufacturing one square meter of artificial grass requires about 3,744 liters of water, equivalent to watering a real lawn for 18 years. Additionally, people often wash their artificial turf, using even more water. Given this, plastic turf isn't a water-efficient choice, especially since real grass can survive dry periods without watering and will turn green again with rain. Artifical lawns are also terrible for nature, as wildlife is unable to use your garden as a habitat, and with their short lifespans create a lot of plastic waste too.

Cleaning

When cleaning outdoor areas like driveways and sidewalks, use a broom instead of a hose - this simple switch can save hundreds of gallons of water. Conserving water in outdoor cleaning reduces runoff and the potential for local flooding. Use pressure washers sparingly, and opt for water-efficient models if you do.

The benefits of saving water

As well as lowering your household water bill, saving water has lots of benefits for nature and the environment, too.

Reducing Flooding

Collecting rainwater in water butts and reducing runoff through efficient water use helps minimise the risk of local flooding. This is particularly important in urban areas where impermeable surfaces like roads and pavements prevent natural water absorption.

Combatting Drought

Conserving water at home directly contributes to mitigating the effects of drought. By using less water, you help maintain the balance of local water supplies, ensuring that there is enough to go around even during dry periods.

Supporting Aquatic Ecosystems

Reducing water consumption helps maintain the natural flow of rivers, lakes, and streams, which is vital for the health of aquatic ecosystems. Many species rely on consistent water levels for breeding, feeding and shelter.

Lowering Energy Use

Heating water accounts for a significant portion of household energy use. By using less water, you also reduce the energy needed to heat it, which in turn lowers your carbon footprint and your bills, and contributes to the fight against climate change.

Saving water at home is a practical and effective way to reduce household bills and contribute to environmental conservation. By implementing simple changes like installing water butts, fixing leaks and using water-efficient fixtures, you can make a significant difference.

Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be playing a crucial role in reducing flooding, combatting drought and supporting aquatic ecosystems.