Our water
The Issue
Scientists predict that the temperature in the UK will rise significantly by the year 2030. Already, the Environment Agency has identified the Thames Valley region as having the lowest amount of water available per person in the UK, so we all need to make sure we are using it wisely.
London is one of the driest and most densely populated areas in the country and lifestyle changes, population growth and climate change are placing increasing pressure on our water resources. Today, the average daily amount of water used per customer is 160 litres, compared to 140 litres in the early 1980’s.
The Solution
Use less water.
Fix leaking taps. A dripping tap can waste up to 140 litres of water a week.
Take a shower- A bath uses 80 litres of water compared to only 35 litres used by a shower. Be careful though, a power shower can use more water than a bath! Alternatively, share a bath with someone you love.
Fitting a Save-a-flush (a bag of harmless crystals) in your toilet cistern can save up to 1 litre per flush. That’s a saving of nearly 2,000 litres per person per year. A Hippo (designed to work in toilet cisterns with a 9 litre flush or greater) could save up to 5,000 litres per person per year.
Wait for a full load before using the washing machine - a full load uses less water than 2 half loads.
Cool water in the fridge means you don’t have to run the tap for ages to get a cold drink.
Only fill the kettle with enough water for your needs, this will reduce your fuel bills too.
Wash your car with a bucket of water instead of a hose.
Buy water efficient products like sprays for your shower head and taps and water efficient appliances
A water butt in your garden can collect rainwater that can be used used on your plants and lawn and ‘Greywater’, or water that has been used within the home for washing and bathing. can be re-used in the garden providing simple rules are followed. Never re-use water containing strong detergents, chemicals or household cleaning agents.
Get a water meter. In most cases, when you have chosen to have a meter, at the end of the first year you can revert back to your unmetered charge if you are not happy with your metered bill.
Keep your front garden for plants not your car. Hard surfaces can’t absorb water and can change the whole microclimate of your street. No greenery means less CO2 absoption. Have a BBQ in it instead, using UK produced charcoal.
Plant a tree. Tree planting in urban areas is a great way to give something back to the environment.
Trees are highly ‘carbon smart’ and can help mitigate against climate change in 3 key ways. 1. They absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and concentrate it to carbon, which is stored in their roots, trunks, branches, leaves and seeds. 2. Trees can also save as much as 10% of annual energy consumption around buildings by moderating the local climate keeping it cool in summer and warmer in winter. 3. Tree canopies reduce rainstorm impact and provide a natural alternative to resource-heavy flood control systems that depend on hard engineering.
What you can do
Free water saving devices
waterwise.fortune-cookie.com/free-stuff/
Cheap water butts
www.thames2u.com 0845 658 8866
Request a water meter
www.thameswater.co.uk/UK/region/en_gb/content/MeterRequest
Bioregional Homegrown Charcoal at B&Q - 0845 222 1000
Plant a tree - www.treesforlondon.org.uk - 020 7587 1320
www.native-tree-shop.com - 01476 581111
