Top 10 Water Saving tips
- Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth - over the year this small change saves enough water to make 40,000 cups of tea!
- Use a watering can in the garden - hosepipes use up to 540 litres of water an hour (which is a lot when you consider a watering can only holds around 10 litres).
- Report leaks - if you see a leak in the road or footpath, give United Utilities a call on 0800 33 00 33
- Repair dripping taps
- Take a short shower instead of a bath
- Use a plug in the kitchen sink instead of running the tap and save a litre of water every six or seven seconds (if you use a bowl you could use this to water your plants)
- Keep a container of water in the fridge - this avoids having to run the tap for a cool refreshing drink
- Choose drought resistant plants (such as geraniums) which last longer in dry periods
- Let your grass grow longer, it will wear better during dry periods.
- Only switch on your dishwasher or washing machine when full.
Water Saving Devices
There are a range of devices that can be used around the home to save water. Many are available free of charge from the United Utilities website.
Could you save money with a Water Meter?
If you don’t already have a water meter fitted, then your current bills are based on the ratable value of your property (not on the amount of water you use), so how much you pay won’t relate to how much water you use. If you live on your own, have a small family or live in a house with a high ratable value, then you could be paying too much for your water services. Find out if a water meter is right for you by visiting the online water calculator.
Do you have water debt or difficulty paying your water bill?
There is a variety of help available from United Utilities if you are in water debt and have trouble paying your water bill. This ranges from applying to their trust fund to have debt reduced or cleared, along with various other schemes such as their matching £ for £ payment plan.
For more information please call the Affordable Warmth team at Sefton on 0151 934 2222.