Saving water reduces your environmental impact by cutting the energy needed to clean, transport and heat your water. This also means you’ll face smaller bills for energy and water if you have a meter fitted.
Will saving water save me money?
Reducing your water usage might not reduce your water bill directly. That depends on if you have a water meter fitted. A water meter measures how much water you use, and you may not know you have one. The easiest way to see if you have a meter is by checking your water bill to see if you are being charged based on usage or a fixed rate.
No water meter? Use our guide to see if you could save on your water bills
Whether you have a water meter or not, using less hot water will reduce your energy bills. Plus, outside of any money you save, using less water is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Here are our top 10 water saving tips:
Stop dripping taps in their tracks!
A dripping tap might not seem like a big deal, but it can waste more than 15 litres of water a day - that’s over 5,500 litres a year! Luckily, it’s simple to fix, and the parts should only cost a few pounds.
Use waste water for plants
Next time you leave a glass of water out overnight or have a bowl of water left over after washing vegetables, don’t pour it down the sink. Instead, give it to houseplants or your garden - just make sure there’s no soap in the water.
Maximise your dishwasher efficiency
A dishwasher uses around one fifth of the water you’d use washing by hand, but they’re most efficient when you run a full load. Wait until the dishwasher is completely full before pressing start.
Swap baths for showers…
A bath can use 80 litres of water each time you wash, but a shower typically uses one third as much. Swap your regular bath for showers, and save them for an occasional indulgent soak.
… And keep showers short
The water you use in the shower does depend on how long you’re in there, so it won’t save water to switch to half-hour long showers. Set a timer when you get into the shower to save water - and save yourself from pruny fingers.
Install a low-flow shower head
Specially designed shower heads with an aerator installed mix air with your water flow to increase shower pressure without using more water, and low flow shower heads reduce the water used for homes with high water pressure. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy your shower and save water at the same time.
Hack your flush
A toilet hippo or cistern bag reduces how much water you use every time you flush the toilet - and you might be able to claim one for free
Swap the hose for a watering can
Even before a hosepipe ban is implemented, you can save water by switching from a hose to a watering can in the garden.
Water plants in the evening
What time of day you water your garden also makes a big different. If you water plants in the morning, much of the water you use will be lost to evaporation as the day heats up. Wait until the cooler evening and your plants will enjoy the full benefits, and you won’t need to water as often.
Let your lawn grow long
Another way to save water that means less work for you! Rather than regularly cutting your grass, let it grow a little longer in the summer. The longer grass will shade the ground underneath, letting it hold onto water more easily and keeping your grass greener.
Tips for saving water in the bathroom
A running tap wastes up to 6L of water a minute, so turn it off. If you leave the tap running while you clean your teeth you could be pouring up to 24L of water down the drain every day
Swap baths for showers, a five-minute shower uses half of the water of the average bath
Not all showers are created equal - switching to an energy-efficient head could save a family of four £53 a year on their water bills
A cheap water hippo device (these are £2.49) reduces the volume of your toilet tank, saving you up to 15,000L a year
How to save water in the kitchen
Use a bowl to catch water while washing fruit and veg, then recycle it by watering houseplants or your garden
Fill your washing machine and dishwasher completely before each cycle to make the most of the water you’re using
A dripping tap can waste more than 5,300L of water a year, so be ready with a washer and keep an eye on your kitchen sink
Left a glass of water out overnight? Pour it over a thirsty plant rather than tipping it down the sink
Filling the kettle? Measure the exact amount of water you need with a mug to save water and energy
Tips for saving water in the garden
A rainwater butt collects free water for your garden - and gives you a reason to smile despite the British weather
If there’s no rain to collect, try recycling (soap-free) water from your sink, shower or paddling pool to water your garden
Use a watering can instead of a hose to have more control over how much water you’re using and where it’s going
Water plants in the evening and you’ll lose less water to evaporation, letting your plants get the full benefit
Letting your lawn grow longer provides shade for the soil underneath, protecting the roots and trapping any water
Don’t worry about brown grass - in the UK grass will almost always bounce back quickly after a heatwave, and letting it brown during a heatwave is an easy way to save water
