Water way to spend World Environment Day!

This World Environment Day (Saturday 5 June 2010) the Consumer Council for Water wants to remind water consumers that they can save water, energy, and money, as well as cut down their household's carbon footprint, all by using water wisely.

Around 30 per cent of a household's energy bill comes from using hot water, for example, in baths or showers, or for washing clothes or dishes. By using less water, (especially hot water) families should see a reduction in their energy bill, and those who are charged for their water by meter should also see a reduction in their water bill as well.

The benefits of using water wisely don't stop there. Water is heavy, and it takes a lot of energy to collect it, treat it, and pump it to our homes. Water companies in England and Wales are responsible for approximately four million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission (CO2 equivalent) every year, and that they also account for about three per cent of total energy used in the UK.

Furthermore, according to Waterwise, the UK's leading authority on water efficiency, the energy used to pump, treat and heat the water in the average family's home each year produces the carbon equivalent of a return flight from London to New York.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “It can be easy to forget that all of the water sent to our homes is treated to drinking quality standards, whether it is for drinking, cooking, cleaning, flushing the toilet, or even watering the garden.

“For example, by investing in a water butt to collect rain water, families can avoid having to pay their water companies for the water they use on their gardens.

“Taking five minutes to consider some of the Consumer Council for Water's water saving tips could pay off in the long run and have the added benefit of helping to reduce your carbon footprint.”

The Consumer Council for Water's top water saving tips:

· Replace worn washers on leaky taps. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and over a year could unnecessarily add over £18 to your annual water bill.

· Take showers rather than baths, or if you usually shower try shortening it. For every minute cut off your daily shower you could save between £5 and £10 off your energy bills over the year, or go one step further and install a water saving shower head, which can cut the amount of water used by about 30 per cent.

· When putting the kettle on to boil, only fill it with as much water as necessary. Two-thirds of us waste energy by boiling more water than we need.

· Make sure that the dishwasher or washing machine is completely full before turning it on, and avoid using the half load setting. Half-load cycles use much more than half the energy and water of a full load.

· Washing machines use huge amounts of energy, 90 per cent of which is through heating water. By reducing the temperature from 40 to 30 degrees, energy consumption will be reduced by 40 per cent.

· Around a third of the water we use goes straight down the loo, so using a water displacement device, such as a hippo, can help save water with every flush. These are available for free from most sewerage companies. Or, for an easy, do it yourself option, fill an empty plastic bottle with water and place it in the cistern.

· Take advantage of wet weather by installing a water butt, which collects rain water from a down pipe running from the roof, shed or greenhouse, and use the collected rainwater for gardening and washing the car, instead of paying to use drinking quality water through a hosepipe.

· The hot water cylinder thermostat should be set at 60°C or 140°F. Any higher uses energy unnecessarily and could lead to scalding.

· Insulate the hot water cistern to avoid using extra energy to keep it hot. Fitting a jacket that is at least 75mm thick could save around £35 each year.

More water saving tips are available at www.ccwater.org.uk.

Posted Tuesday June 1^st 2010
By Consumer Council for Water