Find out why you should save water, how you can help conserve supplies and what actions to take during periods of very low rainfall if you have a private water supply.
We must all use water wisely to make sure we have enough water and to protect our valuable natural environment. Reducing water consumption at home will also help lower costs if you are on a water meter.
Hosepipe bans
How to use less water
We should always be looking for ways to use less water, particularly during a drought. Think before you use water - ask yourself what the water is for and if you really need to use it.
Tips to save water during a drought
- Wash your car with a bucket. This generally uses less water than using a hose, but do you really need to wash it? Just keep headlights, mirrors and windows clean for safety reasons.
- Don’t let water run to waste while waiting for the water to get hot. Collect and use it to water plants.
- Avoid running the tap until the water runs cold every time you want a drink. Keep a jug of water in the fridge so you always have cool drinking water.
- Let your grass grow. This provides shade for the soil and helps retain water. If your grass goes brown, it doesn’t mean it has died: it will recover when it rains.
- Reuse bath water for house plants or in the garden. You can collect it using a watering can, or buy a device to siphon bath water from the bath to the garden.
- Use water saving crystals in pots and hanging baskets which expand and hold water in your soil when you water it and when it rains.
Tips to save water every day
For useful tips on saving water in the home and garden, using rainwater and greywater recycling systems and why you might benefit from using a water meter, visit the Waterwise website:
Private water supplies
During periods of very low rainfall groundwater levels can become exceptionally low. This may affect you if your water comes from a well, spring or borehole.
We have developed a guide that sets out actions you can take during low groundwater drought and how to seek an alternative supply of water:
Can you help?
Please help us by keeping a look out for any problems such as illegal abstractions or obstructions, fish gasping for air, algal blooms or pollutions. Please report any concerns to our incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 (freephone, 24 hour service).
