The A to Z Of Water Saving Tips

A LIST OF 26 SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE WATER

A dripping tap could waste up to 90 litres of water a week.

Brushing your teeth whilst the tap is running can waste almost 9 litres a minute – why not rinse your toothbrush in a tumbler of water instead.

Cool water kept in the fridge gets around the need to run your tap for ages to get a cold drink.

Don’t use your washing machine until you have a full load – an average wash uses 95 litres of water! 

EXCELLENT GARDENING TOP TIP
Every time you boil an egg save the cooled water for your houseplants – your plants will benefit from the nutrients released from the shell.

Fit a water saving device in your toilet cistern and you’ll be saving up to 3 litres of water when you flush.

Grow your grass a little longer – your lawn will stay green longer and will need less watering.

Hoeing actually stimulates the growth of plants, reduces moisture loss from the soil surface and removes weeds that take up valuable water and nutrients.  

Install a meter and you can save water and money by monitoring how much water you use.  

Just taking a five minute shower every day, instead of a bath, will use a third less water – saving up to 400 litres a week.  

Kettles should be filled for your needs – rather than filling to the brim – this will reduce your fuel bills as well. 

Lag your pipes to avoid bursts and when the weather is cold leave your heating on a low setting to prevent pipes freezing.

Mulch in your garden keeps the sun off the soil and helps retain precious moisture.

No further watering is usually required for established trees and shrubs.

Once a week is all the watering your lawn needs even on the hottest days. Over-watering can weaken your lawn by encouraging roots to seek the surface.

Purchasing a water butt will help you to collect rainwater for use in your garden – did you know that by using a water butt you can collect about 85,000 litres of rain from your roof every year.

Question your local garden centre about the water requirements if different plants – some thrive in drier conditions.  

Replacing a toilet cistern can save water – toilets manufactured after 1993 use less water per flush

Sprinklers can be wasteful – it doesn’t take long for a sprinkler to soak your lawn thoroughly – a sprinkler can use as much water in an hour as a family of four use in a day!

Trigger nozzles can save water by using it only when needed – this can save you up to 225 litres a week.  

EXCELLENT GARDENING TOP TIP
Use the dirty water when cleaning a fish tank on your houseplants – water from your fish tank will be rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing an excellent fertiliser.  

Very ‘water efficient’ washing machines and dishwashers are now available – look for those with an A rating you’ll find that they also save on energy.

Water your garden at the coolest part of the day to reduce evaporation.  

By adding a Water Computer to your watering system you can automatically set the watering to take place at the best time of the day – even if you’re already asleep! Even the simplest computer the Gardena Flex Water Computer provides you with sufficient choice that you can set your system to run every 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours and to water from just 1 second up to 99 minutes.

Xeriscape means ‘to landscape for water conservation’. The idea is to use plants that require less water – you can also use objects for decorative effect such as rocks, bricks, benches and gravel. 

You can use less water by turning the hot tap down, rather than the cold tap up, if you need cooler water.  

Zthe end of the alphabet but not the end of water saving ideas don’t use your washing machine until you have a full load – an average wash uses 95 litres of water! Cool water kept in the fridge gets around the need to run your tap for ages to get a cold drink!  

Information Courtesy Of BBC News & Thames Water’s Waterwise Campaign .