Save water

Water is a precious resource that we often take for granted, and climate change means that water supply is becoming more unpredictable.   

Our water use accounts for 6% of all carbon emissions in the UK. Did you know that we use 143 litres of water per person per day? This is more than twice the amount we used 25 years ago! 

Water from showerhead

Showers are the biggest source of water going down the drain, followed by flushing the toilet. As well as saving carbon, using less water also saves us money and the energy needed to heat it. 

Reduce your impact by:

  • Taking shorter showers
  • Using a save-a-flush bag in your toilet or upgrading to a dual flush toilet
  • Using your washing machine and dishwasher only when you have a full load, and selecting lower temperatures or eco settings
  • Collecting rainwater in a water butt to water your garden
  • Using a sink bowl instead of leaving the tap running, and collecting water whilst waiting for it to get up to temperature
  • Getting leaks fixed early.

During a heatwave, water suppliers might introduce a Temporary Use Ban, often called a hosepipe ban, which asks customers not to use hosepipes for things like washing the car or watering the garden. This is because during a drought, river levels are much lower than normal and there is not as much water available. Heatwaves are becoming more common in the UK and it’s becoming increasingly important that we all take responsibility for our water consumption and only use what is essential.

The two most common causes of flooding are tidal flooding, where coastal areas are affected by high tides, and surface water flooding where rainfall is unable to soak into the ground or into the drainage system.

Both types of flooding have become bigger problems in line with climate change due to the rising sea levels and unpredictable weather.

Your local authority will likely have information on its website about how you can report a flood in your area.