Water Save

If you need a new washing machine or dishwasher always check the energy label to see whether it is water efficient. Opt for ones with a water consumption of less than 55 litres per cycle.

In households with two or more people, a dishwasher actually uese less water than washing a big load by hand.

But only use the dishwasher when it’s full and use the economy cycle, if your machine has one, for maximum savings.

Only wash dirty clothes. If you’ve won an item once and it’s spotless, hang it outside or in the bathroom when you take a shower to freshen it up.

Only put your washing machine on when it’s full. On average a machine uses 80 litres of water every cycle, full of water. Most machines now have a water-saving “half-load” or “eco-wash”.

If you like to drink icy cold water then keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the tap till it goes cold. This could save 10 litres a day alone.

Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap to save around three litres a day.

Save water by washing the car with Miracle Dry Wash, £14.50 from www.biggreensmile.com This magic spray lifts dirt from any painted surfacem such as a car or motorbike. One 500ml bottle will save one ton of water and wash your car seven times.

Break the habit of leaving taps running while you clean your teeth - just rinse the sink out when you’re done. Brushing teeth with the tap running uses 10 litres - even more than flushing the toilet!

If you suspect there’s a leak somewhere, (for instance if your water meter bill is higher than expected), report it to your water company. While it’s your responsibility to fix leaks, you may be able to get a refund from your supplier. Check who your supplier is at www.water.org.uk

Turn taps off fully and get dripping ones fixed. A dripping tap can waste up to 10 litres of water a day. Most of the time, all it needs is a new washerm costing around 50p.