There's no place like a water-wise home

16/01/2008

People taking up residence in new homes are being given the chance to make a move towards being more water-efficient.

Essex & Suffolk Water is running a ten-week trial offering every new homeowner in the company’s Essex supply area the chance to explore how they can become more water-efficient.

Each new homeowner will be offered a £5 gift voucher to spend on a wide range of water efficiency products which include an aerated shower head and a water-storing gel mat for garden plants.

They will also be given a shower timer to help reduce the amount of time spent in the shower and a selection of leaflets containing water efficiency advice for the home and garden.

The company estimates that it will contact around 500 homes each week, which will amount to a total of 5,000 homes over the course of the trial.

Essex & Suffolk Water fits a water meter every time a home changes its ownership. A meter means that an occupier only pays for the water used and so, by conserving this precious resource, the homeowner will also save money in their new residence.

Tom Andrewartha, project organiser said: “Essex is one of the driest parts of the country, receiving only half the average national rainfall. It is therefore important that we all do our bit to conserve water.

“We hope that by contacting people when they are making a fresh start by moving into a new home they will be more open to the idea of changing the way they use water.”

Ends

For further information please contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.

Ten water-saving tips for the home and garden

1.   Use a water butt to collect and store your rainwater.

2.   Put a save-a-flush device in your toilet cistern and save up to 1 litre of water every time you flush. Ring 08456 048 071 for your free device.

3.   Use full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.

4.   Replace washers on dripping taps - they can waste up to 26 litres of water in 24 hours - that's enough for a shower!

5.   Don't leave the tap running when you brush your teeth, use a glass, this can waste 10 litres everytime.

6.   If you take a bath, don't fill it right to the top, try reducing the level by 1 inch.

7.   Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash the car.

8.   If washing up by hand, water the garden with the dirty water rather than tripping down the drain.

9.   Water plants in the evening to retain moisture in the soil. 

10. Report any leaks you spot so that we can fix them quickly - ring the leak hotline on 0800 526 337.