Photo by Saving Water, Saving Money: 11 Simple Ways to Cut Your Bills
With water bills set to rise by an average of 49% by 2030, households are facing significant financial losses from water waste. However, by making simple changes at home, you could save over £300 a year.
The Scale of the Problem
According to new forecasts, water inefficiency could cost UK households over £300 annually. Shockingly, 88% of adults admit to wasting water, with 34% leaving the tap running while brushing their teeth and 38% taking longer showers than necessary.
The consequences of water waste
Offsetting the Increase
Modelling by economists at Cebr suggests that by using water more efficiently, metered households may be able to completely offset the proposed increases in bills to 2030. Here are some simple changes you can make to start saving:
Bathroom
- Shorten your showers - reducing your shower from eight minutes to five can save up to 30 litres of water.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth - a running tap wastes approximately six litres per minute.
- Upgrade your toilet - consider switching to a dual flush toilet, with two buttons allowing different quantities of water to flow. The lower flush option typically uses three to four litres of water per flush compared to more than six on the larger flush.
- Install low-flow shower heads - these can save up to 60 litres of water per shower.
- Fit a tap aerator - this device mixes water with air, reducing the flow but maintaining the water pressure.
Low-flow shower heads can save up to 60 litres of water per shower
Kitchen
- Fill it up - make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is fully loaded so that you make the most of the water being used. Avoiding pre-rinsing dishes can also help to reduce water waste.
- Use a washing up bowl - if washing up by hand, use a washing up bowl rather than continuously running the tap.
- Upgrade to a water-saving tap - taps designed to be water efficient can use up to 40% less water than a normal tap.
Water-saving taps can use up to 40% less water than normal taps
Outdoor Areas
- Use a watering can - using a watering can allows for more targeted watering. Watering the garden with a hosepipe can use 1,000 litres of water an hour - more than 12 baths.
- Pick drought-resistant plants - consciously choosing plants that need less water, such as lavender or poppies, means you can more easily keep them healthy during dry summer months.
- Reduce evaporation - using mulch and bark in your garden will help to reduce water evaporation by up to 75 per cent. Minimise evaporation by watering in the early morning or late evening, allowing the water to soak into the soil and reach plant roots.
Drought-resistant plants require less water and maintenance
The Importance of Action
By making these simple changes, you can not only save money on your water bills but also contribute to a more sustainable future. As Thierry Garnier, Kingfisher CEO, said: ‘Avoiding water waste isn’t just the right thing to do from an environmental point of view, it’s also a way to save increasingly significant sums of money.’
Take Action Today
Start making changes in your home today and join the effort to reduce water waste. Share your own tips and experiences in the comments section below!
