Image credit: Shutterstock.com/LeaRae
Each month we share green advice in our mission to Creating Greener Futures Together. Following the warm weather recently, this month we're focussing on saving water in your homes.
Why should we be saving water?
Using less water is good for the planet—and it can help you save money, too. You don’t need to make big changes. Small actions every day can make a big difference.
Here are some easy ways to save water in your home.
Take shorter showers
Showers can use a lot of water, especially if they’re long. Here’s how you can save water in the bathroom:
- Keep your shower short: Try to stay under 5 minutes.
- Use a water-saving showerhead: These use less water but still give you a good shower.
- Catch cold water: When waiting for the shower to get warm, use a bucket to collect the cold water. You can use it to water plants or clean.
Reuse water
You don’t always have to pour water down the drain.
- Save the water from rinsing fruit or veg. Use it for your plants.
- Reuse leftover water from washing up (if it’s not too dirty). You can clean with it or pour it down your outside drains to rinse them.
Save water when flushing
Toilets use more water than you might think.
- Use a toilet water saver: These are small devices that go in your toilet cistern. They help you use less water with each flush.
- Only flush when needed: If it’s just wee, some people wait before flushing to save water.
Use a water butt
A water butt is a big container that collects rainwater. You can connect it to your drainpipes.
Use this water to:
- Water your garden
- Wash your car
- Clean your patio or paths
Many councils and water companies offer them for free or at a discount.
Watch: How to save water at home
Check out this short video we created to see these tips in action:
Why it’s important
Saving water helps:
- Lower your water bill
- Protect the environment
- Make sure there’s enough water for everyone
LiveWest and South West Water are working together to help people in Plymouth and the South West use water wisely and save money.
Some of your water suppliers might even offer free water saving devices. You can read more about this here.