Water saving tips

We now use more appliances than ever before – this means we use 70% more water than we did 30 years ago.

By changing your habits, you can make a real difference to water usage in the UK and save money at the same time.

In the kitchen

  • Use a plug in the sink or a bowl – this stops you running the tap which, on average, uses a litre of water every six seconds.
  • If your water takes a while to heat up, save the cold water and use it for other things like watering plants.
  • A washing machine cycle uses around 70 litres of water – waiting until you have a full load will save water and energy.
  • Dishwashers use 30 litres of water per cycle so fill them as much as possible but avoid obstructing the water arms.
  • Store a container of water in the fridge – this avoids running the tap to get it cold and provides you with instant, cold, drinking water.
  • Cook vegetables in a steamer – this saves water and is much healthier.
  • Try not to overdo cleaning products – modern products work effectively when used in moderation.

In the bathroom

  • Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth – if every person in the North West did this, it would save enough water to fill 840,000 baths each day.
  • Use a plug in the basin when having a wash – this will save 10 litres per wash.
  • Try not to overfill the bath – this uses more water and energy than necessary.
  • Avoid putting things down the toilet – objects like nappies, razors and cotton buds can cause blockages.

 

Water meters

Having a water meter fitted is free and causes very little disturbance during the work. Also, if you decide that you no longer wish to pay by meter, you can have your meter removed, free of charge, within 13 months of having your meter installed.