Innovative way to save water

14/11/2006

Thousands of water customers are being invited to take part in a unique initiative designed to help them become more water efficient.

The ‘water-saving toolkit’ project will offer homeowners the chance to choose from a range of free products tailored to suit their individual needs.

Essex & Suffolk Water is contacting around 5,000 homes in the Springfield and Beaulieu areas of Chelmsford to invite them to take part in the initiative. They will be able to apply for a kit and select from a range of water efficiency products for the home and garden.

The first 2,000 homeowners to respond will receive their personal water-saving toolkit.

Products each have a different credit value and each household can order 30 credits worth of goods from the selection on offer. The products and services aim to help customers understand their water use and empower them to make changes to reduce waste.

Items available include a water butt, hose gun, shower timer, Save-a-flush, a dual flush toilet, a water- efficient showerhead and aeratored tap inserts. Other services offered in the toolkit include the chance to have a home leak survey and have any dripping taps repaired.

Essex & Suffolk Water is working with Ewan Group plc who are providing trained plumbers and technicians to deliver the toolkits.

At the end of the project, which will run until March 2007, Essex & Suffolk Water will be able to calculate how much water has been saved.

In assessing their water use, it is hoped that those taking part will make permanent changes to the way that they use this precious resource.

Jenny Abel, project manager said: “This is a unique project which gives the homeowner the chance to choose products based on their preferences and circumstances.

 “It is part of our drive to manage available water resources and reduce water wastage. The Essex area is one of the driest parts of the country, receiving only half of the national average rainfall so it is important that we all do what we can to conserve water.”

If you would like more information on the project please call the local rate helpline on 0845 602 0097.
    
For further information please contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.