Make resolution to save precious water!

Jan 5 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PEOPLE in Huddersfield wanting to save the environment are being urged to make a New Year’s resolution to stop wasting water.

As a nation we use more water per person than the rest of Europe at an average of 130 to 160 litres per day.

Climate change is affecting weather patterns which have in turn affected water availability in Britain, with the worst drought in 100 years in the south east of England in 2006, followed by one of the wettest summers on record in 2007.

The Consumer Council for Water is now urging people to make an easy resolution to save water to make a real impact and even save some money.

The body says that now is the time for householders to look at how water is used in the home. By following some simple steps, a family of four could save about 170,000 litres of water annually. For those on meters, this amounts to around £250 in savings on water bill each year.

The Consumer Council advises starting by giving the taps in your home a check up. Replacing worn washers can quickly fix leaking taps, which waste an average of 25 litres per day.

Putting a brick or other water saving device in the toilet’s cistern can save up to two litres of water with every flush.

Investing in a water butt could also make a real difference. Instead of watering the garden with a hosepipe use the collected rain water and target the plants that need it the most. It could save up to 30,000 litres or £80 annually.

Instead of using a hosepipe to wash the car, fill a couple of buckets– over the year it could save as much as 20,000 litres.

Other simple steps include taking a shower instead of a bath and turning off the tap while cleaning teeth, which can save as much as five litres of water with each brushing.

A full list of water saving tips can be found at the Consumer Council’s website www.ccwater.org.uk.