Make sure your water use goes in one direction during World Water Week says Consumer Council!

The key message behind this year’s global water saving event, which kicks off on Sunday 31 August, is that saving water can in turn save you money on your energy bill.

As Graham Smith, Head of Water at the Consumer Council explains; “Given that 25 per cent of the household energy bill is generated by heating water, the Consumer Council is calling on all consumers to see if they can make a difference not only to the amount of water used but also the money spent on bills during World Water Week.

“We’re all probably a bit guilty of being a bit like Harry Styles when it comes to wasting water, but it really is important to think about the link between hot water use in particular and our energy bills, as well as saving water.

“We use 70 per cent more water than we did 40 years ago. The average family uses around 200 litres of hot water per day on central heating, showering, cooking and doing the laundry. While these are essential uses for water, small changes can make a big difference to the planet and your pocket.”

Graham’s top tips to turn drips into dosh and help the planet!

• Turn your heating down by one degree – this saves water and money;

• Have a shower instead of a bath – this saves up to 55 litres of heated water per day;

• Don’t run a hot tap to rinse dishes or vegetables as this can use up six litres of water per minute – a basin of clean water will do the same job;

• Only put on a wash when you have a full load as a washing machine cycle can use up to 32 litres of water;

• Only boil the kettle with the amount of water you need for a cuppa;

• Use a lid on a saucepan to help it boil quicker – it’ll also need less water with a lid;

• And, finally of course, turn the tap off when you brush your teeth as this will use only one litre of water rather than the 10 litres used when the tap is left on.

World Water Week begins on Sunday 31 August and continues until Friday 5 September.

For more information on World Water Week go to; www.worldwaterweek.org and for more tips on saving water visit the Consumer Council’s website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk

You can also share your water-saving tips on the Consumer Council’s facebook page; The-Consumer-Council-Northern-Ireland/ or via twitter @ConsumerCouncil