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How to conserve water

Water is important - so let's look after it!

Water conservation means using water wisely and not wasting it. Using less water means there is more left in our natural environment. Important habitats like rivers, streams and bogs stay topped up. Which is really important for otters, water voles, herons, fish and lots of other animals. If we all do our part in looking after precious water supplies, we can make a huge difference for the environment. 

Top reasons to conserve water

  • Water is essential to all life. Not only does it keep us and the animals and plants around us alive, but it also provides special places for wildlife to live.
  • Conserving water saves energy. Energy is needed to filter, heat and pump water to your home, so reducing your water use also reduces your carbon footprint.

Save water in the kitchen

  • Put a large bottle of tap water in the fridge to save waiting for the tap to run cold. Waiting for the tap to run cold can waste 10 litres of water a day! 
  • Fancy a hot drink? Only fill the kettle with the amount of water needed.
  • Helping with the cooking? Put lids on saucepans to reduce the amount of water lost during heating.
  • Helping tidy up? Put your dishwasher on with full loads and on an eco-setting. You can also use a washing-up bowl in your sink to reduce the volume of water you use.

  • Livestock farming uses a lot of water, so the less meat you eat, the more water you save. Why not have a go at meat-free Mondays?

Save water in the bathroom

  • Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth. A running tap can waste more than 6 litres of water a minute!
  • Shower instead of bathe. An average bath uses around 80 litres of water, but a shower typically uses between 6 and 45 litres.

Save water in the garden

  • Don't use a sprinkler! Sprinklers are often used to water lawns but they can use as much as 1,000 litres of water an hour! In truth, it’s okay for the lawn to go brown, it will recover the next time it rains.
  • A water butt to catch large amounts of rainwater. If you're lucky enough to have one this is a great way to collect water to water your plants.
  • Using mulch and bark in your garden will help to reduce evaporation by up to 75%.
  • Doing some gardening? Look out for drought-resistant plants that don’t require as much watering.