As temperatures rise again, Bath-based Wessex Water is reminding local residents to save as much water as they can to keep supplies and bank balances healthy.
While there are currently no water shortages and no prospect of a hosepipe ban, of which there hasn’t been one in the region since 1976, the company is offering water efficiency advice that could save billpayers money and benefit the environment.
Re-using rainwater collected in a water butt means there is no need to turn on the tap to keep plants happy, particularly if using a watering can in the morning or evening to avoid the hot sun.
Half of Wessex Water customers surveyed also reuse kitchen water in their gardens. They simply allow any water from washing, boiling or steaming vegetables to cool down, and some even save dishwater that’s not too dirty to water established plants.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Many of us are already making the most of lighter evenings by spending more time outdoors.
“Now is the perfect opportunity to take steps to save water in the home and garden, such as installing a water butt to collect the rain that’s sure to make a return sooner or later!
“Plants prefer rainwater, which is richer in nutrients than tap water, while using a watering can is more efficient than a hose at targeting their roots.
“Hosepipes and sprinklers can use between 500 and 1,000 litres an hour, which is more than a typical family of four per day. Households with a meter will save money on their bills by using a watering can instead.”
Gardeners could also consider drought-tolerant plants and herbs such as lavender, geraniums and verbena, while there is no shame in letting the lawn go brown – 60% of Wessex Water customers do so in the knowledge that their grass will turn green again when it rains.
Using less water in the home could also mean big cost savings elsewhere, with washing machines and dishwashers both major contributors to increasing energy bills.
Wessex Water fixes more than 1,000 leaks on its network every month and has invested £230 million in a supply grid, which means water can be moved around the region to meet changing demands.
This year also marks the launch of an ambitious programme to upgrade water meters to smart meters, helping homes and businesses to better manage and understand their usage.
