Top tips on saving water and your utility bills

Published: 11 Aug 2022

Find out how using less water can help climate change and reduce your utility bills.

Did you know that providing household water also creates a carbon footprint? And, on average, we use a staggering 140 litres of water every day.

The advantages of saving water

The Environment Agency has categorised the District as a serious water-stressed area because the demand for water can sometimes outstrip supply.
Water is intrinsically linked to energy. Most of us underestimate the energy water companies need to treat and pump water into homes. With the water industry contributing 6% of UK carbon emissions, reducing the amount of water we use every day will reduce carbon emissions, and protect our natural environment and water supply.
Reducing your use of water can reduce your water bills if you are on a water meter. And about 12% of a typical gas-heated household’s energy bill is from heating the water for showers, baths, and hot water generally. So, saving water should also save you money on your utility bills.

Run taps for shorter times – for example, turn off your tap while you brush your teeth.
Fill a bottle or jug of water from the tap and keep it in the fridge – this avoids needing to run the tap until it gets cold.
A dripping tap can be not only annoying but it wastes water and, if it is a hot tap, it can increase your water and energy bills.
When making a cup of tea, only boil the amount of water that you need.
Consider adding a water butt to your garden to gather rainwater and use a watering can rather than a hosepipe.
Try taking shorter showers. According to the Environment Agency, a normal five-minute shower can use about a third of the water of a bath. However, power showers can use up 136 litres of hot water per scrub – that’s the equivalent of almost two baths (a bath uses about 60 litres of water).The average 10-minute shower uses 50–75 gallons of water, so if you were to cut your shower time by just a few minutes, you could save gallons each time.
Reduce that water temperature: Consider reducing the water temperature of your shower. By lowering the temperature you could enjoy softer, smoother skin and shinier hair. You'll also have a positive impact on the environment.