Mar 19 2007
In celebration of World Water Day, next Thursday 22 March, Waterwise is asking everyone to make one small behavioural change every day next week to save water. This year’s UN World Water Day is ‘Coping with water scarcity’. There must be a collective effort by industry, consumers, regulators and others to save water.
‘Each person in the UK currently uses 150 litres of water every day. This consumption is not sustainable in the long-term. It is easy for us all to reduce our water consumption by around 20% at little or no cost’ says Jacob Tompkins, Director of Waterwise, ’Despite the recent rainfall it is still imperative that we continue to use water wisely. The UK’s fresh water supplies are not limitless. Climate change, along with population growth and shift mean that we can’t simply continue to use a third more than many of our European neighbours. The most effective long term way to stop future water shortage is for all of us to make small behavioural changes and to choose water efficient products.’
Monday - Reduce the amount of water your toilet wastes
About a third of all the clean, drinkable water we use in our homes is flushed down the toilet. Place a hippo or Save-a-flush bag into the cistern to save around one litre per flush. Alternatively just fill a bottle with water and put it in your cistern. If everybody made this one small behavioural change together we could save 300 mega litres for tomorrow.
Tuesday - Buy a water butt
Now is the ideal time to catch and store some of the rain in a water butt for use on your garden when it gets dry, don’t wait until it stops raining! You can get a water butt from DIY centres, your local council or local water company.
Wednesday - Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth
It may be the old favourite water saving tip but it’s incredibly easy and important. Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. If everybody made this one small behavioural change together we could save 180 mega litres for tomorrow - enough to supply nearly 500,000 homes!
Thursday - Think about water scarcity in the UK and throughout the world
‘Coping with water scarcity’ is the theme for this year’s World Water Day. Take a moment today to consider the water situation in the UK. The UK has less available water per person than most other European countries. London is drier than Istanbul, and the South East of England has less water available per person than the Sudan and Syria. If we do not take action now, climate change, population shifts mean the UK will face increased water stress in the future.
Friday - Ensure you use a full load in your dishwasher and washing machine
Before starting your washing machine or dishwasher, wait for a full load - you'll save money on energy and water. And just like dishwashers, washing machines labelled 'A' on energy efficiency tend to be more water efficient.
Saturday - Take a shorter shower
Try spending one minute less in the shower today. Why not use a shower timer to raise your awareness of how long you spend in the shower. You can get one for free this weekend at your local B&Q store. If everybody in the UK spent one minute less in the shower together we could save 540 megalitres for tomorrow.
Sunday - Use a bucket and sponge to wash your car
Don’t wash your car with a hosepipe, try using a bucket and sponge instead. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will use more water than the average family uses in a day. Fill a bucket with the water from your water butt or snow from your garden! If you really like to use a hosepipe why not connect it to your water butt instead of the mains tap. Remember if you are washing your outdoor furniture or bicycle it’s a great idea to do it on the lawn so you water your lawn at the same time.