World Environment Day offers consumers water saving tips

Consumers are being offered tips on saving water as part of World Environment Day on 5 June.

Around 30 per cent of a household’s energy bill comes from using hot water, for example, in baths or showers, or for washing clothes or dishes.

By using less water, especially hot water, families should see a reduction in their energy bill or water bill.

Water companies in England and Wales are responsible for approximately four million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission (CO2 equivalent) every year, and that they also account for about three per cent of total energy used in the UK.

The Consumer Council for Water’s top water saving tips include replacing worn washers on leaky taps, taking showers rather than baths and shortening shower times, only filling the kettle with as much water as necessary when boiling it and ensuring the dishwasher or washing machine is completely full before turning it on.

Also, reducing the washing machine temperature from 40 to 30 degrees to reduce energy consumption by 40 per cent, install a water butt, which collects rain water, for watering the garden and washing the car and setting the hot water cylinder thermostat to 60°C or 140°F.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "It can be easy to forget that all of the water sent to our homes is treated to drinking quality standards, whether it is for drinking, cooking, cleaning, flushing the toilet, or even watering the garden."

"Taking five minutes to consider some of the Consumer Council for Water’s water saving tips could pay off in the long run and have the added benefit of helping to reduce your carbon footprint."

Further information:
Consumer Council for Water