BLOG: Pledge to save water in 2017? We’ll drink to that

It’s that time of year when lots of us agonise over our New Year resolutions. From quitting smoking to losing weight, many of us will commit to something that will often end in failure within days – or even minutes – of us belting out Auld Lang Syne.

But if you’re determined to break the habit and make a success of it this year we’d like to suggest a resolution that’s worth keeping, not just in 2017, but every day of your life.

Making a commitment to use water more wisely might not seem a particularly thrilling challenge, but it could be one of the most important pledges you ever make. Many of us take tap water for granted but the pressures of climate change and a growing population are placing a huge strain on our resources. And with almost 60 million people across England and Wales each using about 140 litres of water every day, the challenge of providing enough water to satisfy the thirst of business, agriculture and our homes is intensifying every year.

But by making small changes you can play your part in ensuring our taps keep running for present and future generations. And don’t forget, if your home has a water meter you’ll also see a steady trickle of savings on your water bills. Surely that’s a resolution that’s worth keeping?

If you’re up for the challenge, here are a few tips to help you make it a success:

Switch and save – Households with a water meter generally tend to use less water than customers who pay fixed, unmeasured charges. So switching to a meter could be the perfect launch pad for your bid to save water. Using our water meter calculator will help you to gauge whether you’re likely to save money on your bills too – giving you added motivation to use water more wisely in the home and garden. Some people find they can save more than £100 a year by switching to a water meter.

Shorten your showers and fish for some freebies – Much of the water we use in the home comes through turning on the hot tap, which is why saving water can also help us to reduce our energy bills. Every minute less you spend in the shower could shave between £5 and £10 off your energy bills over the year, as well saving around 2,500 litres of water. And why not go a step further by installing a water-saving shower head which can cut the amount of water you use by around 30 per cent.

Most water companies now offer a wide-range of clever devices that can help you save water in the home and they won’t charge you a penny for them. Take a look at some of the freebies that are up for grabs on our website here

Replace worn out washers – A dripping tap in your home wastes over 5,000 litres of water a year, which is enough to fill a paddling pool every week of the summer. If you are on a water meter it could also add nearly £20 to your annual water bill, so don’t delay fixing those annoying,  leaky taps.

Invest in a water butt for rainy day savings – Gardening might be far from our thoughts at the moment but many of us will be digging out the trowel and watering can at the first sign of spring. During the summer about 70 per cent of the mains water we use is for gardening – particularly at weekends and holidays. But a water butt can provide you with a free source of water all year round that doesn’t drain your finances or the environment. And given that the average house roof in the UK collects enough water to fill 450 water butts every year, your supply is unlikely to dry up.