Households across the Bath area are being encouraged to check for any leaking toilets in their home as they could be wasting up to £400 of water each year.
Wessex Water has said that even what appears to be the smallest of leaks can waste hundreds of litres a day and mount up costs for those on a meter.
The company, which supplies drinking water to 1.4 million people, is raising awareness of “leaky loos” in support of World Plumbing Day, being held on 11th March, which aims to highlight water wastage and the effect it has on the environment.
Kathy Thornton, customer engagement manager at Wessex Water, said: “Leaking toilets are easy to ignore, especially if it’s just a small trickle or if it’s not leaking all the time.
“But the amount of water wasted is substantial and could be up to 400 litres a day.
“For customers on a water meter this can lead to an unwelcome surprise when they get their next water bill.
“It’s also bad for the environment, as less water is available for local rivers and streams. It’s best to identify leaks early on and get them fixed by a qualified plumber.”
Some clear signs of a leak include seeing ripples on the toilet pan or hearing a trickling sound.
Wessex Water has four simple steps to check for a less obvious leaking toilet:
- Step 1 – wait for 30 minutes after the last flush before going to bed.
- Step 2 – wipe the back of the toilet pan so it’s completely dry.
- Step 3 – place some toilet paper on the back of the pan.
- Step 4 – leave overnight and if the paper is wet or torn when you wake up then you could have a leak.
Homeowners with a leak are advised to contact a WaterSafe-approved plumber to carry out a repair.
With rising energy costs, simple changes to the way people use hot water can also make substantial savings on both water and energy bills.
By only washing clothes on a full load and cutting out two washes a week, households could save around £50 a year.
If a family of four each took a minute less in the shower every day, they could save around £150 a year.
Wessex Water is also doing its part to cut down water wastage by detecting and repairing around 1,200 leaks on its network every month.
