Using water wisely
As Essex & Suffolk Water operates in the driest region in the country, we have our own special challenges to overcome. Climate changes and a growing number of new homes will mean an increasing demand for water in the years to come. The increased use of water-consuming devices such as dishwashers and pressure washers is increasing the average water consumption up to nearly 160 litres per person per day. So, it is essential that we work together to conserve this valuable resource.
The recent dry weather has meant that we continue to ask that our customers use water wisely – and we are delighted by their response. Together with our actions, such as our commitment to keep leakage levels the lowest in the country, we should hopefully be able to avoid the need for hosepipe restrictions.
This section of the website will provide you with all the useful tips you need to conserve water and ensure that none is wasted. You might be surprised to learn that a garden sprinkler can use the equivalent of 7 baths of water in just one hour – that’s nearly 500 litres! A dripping tap can waste about 26 litres of water every hour – that’s enough to flush an average toilet 3 times! Use the tips provided on the bathroom, kitchen and garden links on the left find out just how much water can be saved through simple actions. You can even complete your own home survey and discover where your water is being consumed.
You really can make a difference and help ensure that the supply of water is maintained for years to come. Just a few simply lifestyle changes will help conserve this precious resource. See our Using water wisely leaflet for more details.
See how to save water in the home and in the garden.
Never leave a tap dripping. If it drips once per second that can waste 13 litres per day or around 4750 litres every year.
Did you know that washing a mug under a running tap uses about a litre of water; six mugs use about the same as a whole bowl of washing up.
A running tap also wastes water if you leave it running when you brush your teeth or wash your hands. You can save 10 –14 litres every time if you use a mug of water when you brush your teeth and put a plug in the basin when washing.
The average bath uses 80 litres of water, but an ordinary shower (not a power shower) only takes about 35 litres. You could save up to 45,000 litres a year and cut your family’s heating bills, if you take showers instead of baths.
Save water by putting a plug in the sink, or use a bowl, for jobs like washing and preparing vegetables or rinsing dishes and you could save 23 litres a day.
Ignore the washing up! But only until you’ve got enough for a full bowl.
Gasping for a cup of tea? You’ll get one more quickly if fill the kettle with only as much water as you need – it will save you water and electricity too.
When using a washing machine wait until you have a full load or use the economy half-load button, to save water and electricity. If your family is buying a new machine remember that some models are more efficient than others.
Treat the washing to a line dry whenever possible. Washer dryer’s use water to condense the moisture out of clothes when tumble drying
If you leave a tap running for 10 minutes almost 100 litres will go down the drain.
If your family uses a hosepipe or sprinkler to wash the car or water the garden you could be wasting up to 15 litres of water a minute. If everyone turns them on at the same time- as often happens on a lovely summer evening – it can lead to low water pressure. Never leave a sprinkler running unattended. Use a watering can to control the amount of water you use. And use a bucket or a waterless wipe instead.
Install a water butt.
Keep lawns green by regular mowing but leave the grass a little longer, but no less than an inch and a quarter. Raise the blade on the motor when its dry, to leave moisture in the grass, and leave the clippings on the lawn.
Water plants at the coolest time of day, usually the evening, to avoid the water evaporating. Different plants have different water needs so find out which need watering and when. Grass and hardy plant roots don’t need watering. Grass will recover and plant roots will grow down to find water. Trees and shrubs only need watering occasionally. Water plant roots and not their leaves. Group potted plants together to conserve moisture.
Remove weeds regularly as they use up valuable water, which your plants need.
Use mulch to reduce water loss from the soil surface. Don’t dig deep during hot dry weather as it dries out soil a few inches down which may have been damp.
Use used bath and washing up water for garden plants, but rotate where you use it and don’t use it on things you are going to eat.