Did you know? Every drop of water counts for our future
By 2055, we're expected to need significantly more water than is currently available, with a potential daily shortfall of five billion litres. To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent of 25 million taps running for 20 minutes every day.
While water companies are working hard to reduce leaks and improve water supplies for the future, we can all help by using water wisely. Simple actions at home can save water, reduce waste and help protect this vital resource for future generations.
The good news? Small changes make a difference
While there is currently no hosepipe ban in the Arun district, if prolonged dry weather continues and water resources come under pressure, restrictions could come into force. Let's not wait until they do before thinking how we use and can save water.
Small changes matter, like cutting down your shower by two minutes saving 28 litres of water a day or fixing a dripping tap that can conserve thousands of litres of water over the course of a year.
There are plenty of simple ways to save water every day, here are just a few examples.
In the kitchen
- use a bowl in the sink to wash fruit, vegetables, and dishes, then reuse that water for plants
- keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run cold
- only boil as much water as you need in the kettle
- only use washing machines and dishwashers when they are full
In the bathroom
- turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - this can save up to nine litres a minute!
- take a short four-to-five-minute shower instead of a full bath
- check for and repair dripping taps and leaking toilets promptly
In the garden
- water plants in the early morning or late evening to stop rapid evaporation
- use a watering can instead of a hosepipe
- collect rainwater for your garden plants
You could also install water-saving devices such as:
Showerheads and timers - low-flow eco showerheads and 4-minute sand timers to shorten your shower time
Tap aerators - a small device screwed onto the end of a tap spout. It divides the water stream into many tiny droplets or streams and mixes air into the flow. This keeps the water pressure feeling strong while reducing total water usage and stopping splashes. Cuts down the water flow rate by up to 50% or more.
Cistern displacement device - bag or displacement block placed inside older toilet tanks to reduce the volume of water used per flush
Leak detectors - 'LeakyLoo' dye strips that drop into the cistern to highlight silent, costly toilet leaks
Garden crystals - 'SwellGel' water-saving crystals that mix into your soil to retain moisture for plants
You may be eligible for free water-saving devices through a Southern Water home visit, more details here: Water-Saving Home Visits - Southern Water
Saving water doesn't just help safeguard our environment. It can also reduce household energy use and help lower utility bills, as less water needs to be heated, treated and pumped.
Whether restrictions are in place or not, using water wisely is something we can all do. By making water efficiency part of our everyday routines, we can help ensure this precious resource is available when we need it most.
Every drop literally counts - today and for the future.
More information can be found on these websites:
Let's Save Water | Water Efficiency Campaign
Water - Use It Wisely: Making water conservation fun, easy, and practical