FACT: Most Business’s pay twice for the water they use, once as it comes through the meter and again as it goes down the plughole.
FACT: Between 2007 and 2009 the number of people actively trying to use less water at home rose by 17% to 69% (defra 2009). This demonstrates a growing awareness of water as a limited resource.
FACT: Each person in the UK uses an average of 154 litres of water a day. In developing countries the average person uses just 10 litres a day. This is the same amount as is used to flush a toilet in the UK. How much water could you save?
TOP TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION
 |
If you have a water meter make sure you know where it is and read it on a regular basis. Don’t just record the results, compare them to previous data, analyse trends and look for irregularities, this could highlight a problem or a leak. |
 |
Carry out a regular water appliance audit. Check for leaking taps, dripping showers, leaking hose pipes and overflows on toilets. A tap dripping just once per second will cost approximately £17 a year in water charges. Tap washers cost just a few pence to replace. |
 |
Install save-a flush or a similar device in all standard size cisterns. These will save 1 litre of water per flush and are available free from CBEN and United Utilities. If a toilet is flushed just 10 times a day this will save you approximately £9 a year. |
 |
Fit all taps (except baths) with a suitable tap aerator - these reduce the water flow. If you have isolator valves on the individual taps, you can use these to reduce the rate of water flow from the taps.
|
 |
Consider installing Dual flush toilets, especially during refurbishment work or in areas of high usage. They can save up to 6 litres per flush.
|
 |
If your shower delivers more than 12 litres of water per minute then fit low flow shower heads. They will not only save water and waste water charges, but also the energy you use to heat it. (Some low flow shower heads are not suitable for use on electric showers so check this first).
|
 |
Use simple water barrels fitted to drain pipes to collect rain water for uses such as watering plants, hanging baskets and vehicle washing. For greater capacity and savings consider rainwater or greywater harvesting systems for flushing toilets etc.
|
 |
Install a Presence detector on all urinals. These can reduce water use by over 75% - saving in excess of 175 m3 of water per urinal per year. This device is well worth the investment.
|
Click
here to return to Best Practice Guides list.