With water prices set to increase by 9% in April, it’s more crucial than ever that households take a look at what they can do to keep their usage – and thus their bills – down. While you’ll be easing the strain on your pocket, let’s also not underestimate the positive environmental impact that can come from making a few easy tweaks to how you use water. Plus, did you know that what goes down the plug holes will also cost you? Yep, wasted water means paying twice – something many of us don’t consider.

Let’s break it down with an example. Picture a water-conscious household of 2-3 people*. Over 28 weeks, they used an average of 187 litres per day. After factoring in all the service charges, their bill came to £200. That’s roughly £1 a day. But shockingly, the UK average is a whopping 140 litres per person!

Now, saving water isn’t just about saving cash. Our UK climate is unpredictable, and we don’t always store enough water for dry spells. Overusing water can mean some parts of the UK go dry during scorching heatwaves. So, even if you’re not on a meter, it’s smart to cut back. Let’s all pitch in to ensure there’s enough water to go around when we need it most.

So, what can you do? We asked RSM Domestic Appliances, Surrey’s largest Euronics independent retailer, to tell us about some simple changes you can make:

• When you go to grab a glass of water, don’t run the tap waiting for it to turn cold; simply put a bottle of water in the fridge to chill.
• Don’t wash dishes under a running tap; instead, fill your sponge with washing up liquid and get it wet, washing the dishes with the tap off, or put some water in a small bowl. You can then give them a quick rinse in lukewarm water (you don’t need hot which uses more energy!) – it’ll save at least half the amount of water.
• On your own, or working from home? Do you need to flush every time you have a tinkle? Save up to 30 litres of water each time you don’t flush. And, if you do need to (maybe there are others around), use the half-flush.
• Use the eco mode on your washing machine and dishwasher if it has one. This can be confusing, as cycles tend to be longer, which people assume must mean higher energy use – this is a myth! An additional benefit is that eco mode also uses less water. Just don’t forget to only run it when it’s full!

Easy modification savings

Investing in a new appliance may seem like a significant expense, but it’s worth considering that older appliances tend to consume more energy and water. As a result, some newer models can pay for themselves in a couple of years or less. However, you can also save a lot of water with relatively cheap modifications too.

• Fix those leaks: dripping taps can waste over 3 litres a day, and a leaky loo can be as much as 400 litres, which can more than double the average family’s water bill. Get the plumber in, and you’ll save their fee within a month or two.
• Shorten those showers: a few minutes less in the shower can make a big difference. Try timing yourself to keep them snappy. Also look at installing slow-flow shower heads (aerators) they don’t lower pressure but do reduce the amount of water used. Some water companies send them to you for free (as well as other devices) so it’s worth contacting them to ask.
• House plants prefer rainwater, particularly if you have a water softener. Invest in a water butt to collect rainwater for them instead, and you can also use it instead of a hose to target the areas in your garden that need it most.
• Replace toilets with a low-flow option, and with a half flush button; you could reduce a flush from 30 litres to six!

By making these simple changes, you can cut your water usage, save money, and do your part to ensure there’s enough water for everyone. So, let’s get saving!

Long term gains and your shopping choices

Did you know…

• producing a single pair of faded jeans can consume up to 800 litres of water?
• it takes a staggering 371 litres of water to produce just 1 litre of almond milk
• crafting a single t-shirt requires a whopping 2700 litres of water!
• producing just 1kg of beef requires around 15 415 litres of water
• avocado production is notorious for its high water usage. It takes about 2000 litres of water to produce just 1kg of avocados

While you might not be able to directly impact these figures, you can make a difference by adjusting your purchasing habits to reduce your indirect water usage. Next time your favourite tee gets a stain or a seam comes loose, think twice before throwing it out. Consider repairing it, or if it’s beyond repair, repurpose it as a cleaning rag to give it a second life. Every small action counts in conserving our precious water resources!

Find your local RSM store here; we’re more than happy to offer advice on all kinds of appliances to suit your needs, while also considering your budget.

You can also read about our energy saving tips here.

 

*This figure was taken from a real water bill from a 4-bed house (Aug 23 – Jan 24) with 1 permanent resident and 2 AirBnB rooms with over 80% occupancy.