Reduce your Water Footprint with these Simple Changes

Water is one of our most precious resources, yet it's easy to take for granted. Every drop that flows from our taps has been collected, treated, and transported - often over long distances - before it reaches our homes. But with increasing pressure on water supplies due to climate change and growing demand, using water wisely is more important than ever.

The good news? Small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference. Not only does saving water help protect the environment, but it can also lead to noticeable savings on your household bills. Whether it’s reducing waste, fixing leaks, or making smarter choices, these simple water-saving tips will help you use less, without sacrificing comfort.

Did you know that, on average, each person uses around 140-145 litres of water per day? That adds up quickly! The good news is that small changes in your daily routine can help you save water - and even lower your bill. Here are our top tips for reducing consumption throughout your home!

Simple hacks to save water in your kitchen:

Use a washing up bowl

Using a washing-up bowl instead of running the tap can save a significant amount of water. A running tap can waste up to 12 litres per minute, while a washing-up bowl typically uses around 8 litres. This simple switch can help you save up to 50 litres per wash, reducing both water waste and your bill. Plus, it keeps soapy water separate, making it easier to rinse dishes efficiently. Small changes like this add up, helping to protect our water resources while keeping costs down.

Fully load your dishwasher and washing machine

Make the most of your dishwasher or washing machine by making sure it is fully loaded!

A dishwasher can be up to four times more efficient compared to washing by hand, so make sure to maximise that by fully loading your appliance.

Dishwasher models made post 2000 use around 14 litres of water and although a washing up bowl could hold between 8 to 10 litres of water; this might require refilling a few times and likely won't clean the same number of dishes or utensils.

Don't pre-rinse dishes

Skip pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into your dishwasher.

Modern dishwashers are designed to remove food residue effectively, making pre-rinsing unnecessary. Simply scrape any large food particles into the bin and let your dishwasher do the rest.

If running a tap can waste 12 litres of water per minute, imagine the accumulative impact of avoiding pre-rinsing dishes!

Eco mode

Don't forget about eco-modes on dishwashers and washing machines. Eco-settings on a dishwasher often reduce water usage to around 10 litres per cycle.

Depending on the age of your washing machine, the average water usage is around 50 litres per load. Although older machines can use up to 180 litres per wash! Using modes like eco, quick wash or express wash will use less water, sometimes as little as 35 litres. A washing machine eco-mode also uses less energy - around 35-59%! By using these modes you can save water, save energy and cut your bills!

Add aerators to your taps

Looking for an inexpensive way to significantly reduce your water consumption? Add aerators to your taps!

By mixing air and water, a more efficient and effective flow is created whilst pressure is maintained. These simple devices can reduce water usage by up to 50%. They're quick and easy to install and usually cost between £2 to £5 per tap.

Bathroom

It's not just the kitchen where you can make an impact. Here are 5 top tips for bathrooms:

Did you know your loo could be leaking?

Fix dripping taps and leaky loos. A leaky toilet can waste between 200-400 litres of water a day, often without you noticing!

To check if your toilet is leaking, put a few drops of food colouring in the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If colouring appears in the bowl, you have a leak that needs fixing.

Opt for a shower instead of a bath

Shower instead of taking a bath. Depending on how long you shower for, you could be using a lot less by having a shower, as a full bath can use 80 litres! Whereas a 5-minute power-shower uses around 75 litres (more on showers coming up...).

Challenge yourself to a 5-minute shower

Reduce shower time. Showers can use between 6 and 15 litres a minute. So if you reduce your shower time by even a minute, you'd be making a huge difference.

Install a water-saving showerhead

Look for showerheads with the Water Label displaying a high-water efficiency rating. An efficient showerhead reduces water flow to around 6 litres per minute while maintaining an enjoyable shower experience. By upgrading from a power shower to a water-efficient model, you can cut your 5-minute shower water usage from approximately 75 litres down to just 30-40 litres - a significant saving without sacrificing comfort.

Fix those dripping taps

A single dripping tap could waste up to 15 litres of water day. That's almost 5,500 litres a year - over 65 bathtubs of water! Don't forget, you can also add aerators to your bathroom taps too.

Outdoors

There are lots of ways to make an impact in the garden as well. Here are our top 3:

Collect rainwater for gardening

Your garden and plants don't need treated water, which costs you money. Installing a water butt can collect thousands of litres of free rainwater annually. This natural water is actually better for your plants as it contains no chlorine or treatment chemicals.

Water your lawn deeply but less frequently

Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger root growth, making your lawn more drought-resistant. Water until the soil is moist 10-15cm below the surface, then wait until the grass shows slight signs of stress (footprints remain visible or grass loses its bounce) before watering again. This approach develops deeper roots that require less water in the future and creates a more resilient lawn.

Time your watering for maximum efficiency

Water plants early in the morning (before 10am) or late in the evening (after 4pm) to reduce evaporation. During these cooler hours, more water reaches the roots instead of evaporating in the midday heat. Morning watering is ideal as it allows foliage to dry during the day, reducing disease risk.

Every Drop Counts: Your Role in Water Conservation

By implementing these simple water-saving tips throughout your home, you're not just reducing your utility bills - you're contributing to a more sustainable future. Each small change adds up, potentially saving thousands of litres of water annually per household.

Water conservation doesn't require major lifestyle changes or expensive investments. Many of these solutions cost little or nothing to implement and can become second nature with a bit of practice. Whether it's installing tap aerators, fixing leaks promptly, or collecting rainwater for your garden, every action matters.

Remember that water scarcity is a growing global concern, and by using water more mindfully, you're helping to preserve this essential resource for future generations. Start with the changes that seem most manageable for your household and gradually incorporate more water-saving habits over time.