What you can do
Every one of us needs to save 28 litres a day. Here’s what you can do to hit that target.
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Start today
Quick wins can start today and will make a big difference to your water usage without changing the way you live.
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Shorten your shower
Two minutes less saves 28 litres a day.That's most of what we each need to save.
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No timer?
Use your phone or time it to a song.Some water companies also send free timers out, so worth asking yours.
Love a singsong?
Just belt out a four-minute tune yourself.Most pop songs run close to four minutes. Perfect shower length.
Lathering up?
Turn the water off ‘til you're done.Then back on to rinse.
A few seconds off adds up fast.
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Fix those leaks
A leaky toilet wastes up to 400 litres a day while an unchecked dripping tap wastes 5,000 litres a year.)
Use your ears
Listen for a teeny trickle at the back of the bowl.That quiet sound could be wasting litres a day.
The tissue test
Stick a bit of tissue in the sink overnight.Wet or torn paper means there’s a leak.
Still unsure?
Ask your water company for a free check.Many offer free leak-detection kits and advice.
Simple swaps
Everyday products and appliances can use a lot of water. Changing the way you use them can make a big impact.
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Use a washing-up bowl
A running tap uses 10 litres a minute. A bowl only uses 10 litres once.)
Fill a bowl instead
Skip the running tap and use a bowl for the whole washing up.A full bowl will still do a bang-up job for all your dishes.
Like to wash and rinse?
Two bowls beats one long tap run.Use one bowl for each. Both filled up halfway.
Water the garden
Your plants will love you for it.Leftover washing-up water is a free drink for plants and won’t harm them.
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Swap the hose for a bucket or watering can
A hosepipe uses more water in 60 seconds than a full watering can. That's 10 litres saved every minute you make the swap.Can do
Give your plants the can, not the hose.It’s way more serene using a can, anyway.
Washing the car?
Best use the bucket and sponge treatment.No need to mess about with a hose.
No ifs, definitely butts
Why not collect rainwater in a water butt?That’s free outdoors water without needing to touch a tap.
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Go eco mode for your appliances
Switching saves between 5 and 15 litres of water every use depending on the appliance.Look for the Eco button
Most machines have it.And it's often the one setting nobody's tried.
It's not a race
Switch it on and forget about it.Eco mode just takes longer, not more effort.
Skip the pre-rinse
It’s a waste of water.Modern detergents are formulated to handle washes without one.
Plan ahead
Some upgrades and changes need a bit more commitment, but they’ll be worth it over the long term.
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Install a dual flush toilet
A proper dual flush saves up to 42 litres a day, while old flushers waste around 13 litres a go.WRAS-approved
Look for a WRAS-approved dual-flush unit when buying a new one.It’s the industry standard mark.
Yes to half-measures
Chances are a half-flush will do the job.Save the full flush for when you actually need it.
Not ready to replace it?
Fit a cistern displacement device in the meantime.Many water companies give them away for free.
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Upgrade your shower head
Switching to a water-saving shower head can halve the water your shower uses.Gentle mist or full power?
There’s a low-flow head for both.Aerated and low-flow types suit different shower powers.
Fit check
Check it fits your hose before you buy. It might save you some embarrassment.Most fit a standard connection without needing a plumber.
Litres-per-minute rating
Look for a stated litres-per-minute rating on any head you want to buy.It’s the clearest way to check and compare efficiency.
Understand your water usage
See how much water your household uses and where it goes, so you know where to start.
Your water company's calculator
Some water companies offer their own calculators that may include your account data. Select your company to check what’s available.
GetWaterFit water use calculator
GetWaterFit is a free tool from the water industry that estimates your household water use and suggests ways to reduce it.
