10 water efficiency tips that can save you money

his year, we’ve been working hard to reduce the number of burst water mains on our network, investing in repairs and improving our water efficiency. This not only ensures a better service for our customers, but also reduces any unnecessary costs.

Find out more about how we’re working to improve our services in our Annual Performance Report summary guide.

If you need a little help to lower your household bills, reducing the amount of water you use is a good place to start. To give you a few ideas we’ve picked out 10 tips that will help you save water and money if you have a water meter. Even if you don’t have a meter, reducing how much hot water you use will help you save money on your energy bills. You could also try our handy calculator to work out if you would be better off with a water meter.

1. Use a washing up bowl

Using a washing up bowl instead of washing your dishes under a tap is a great way to save water. By not running your hot tap for longer than you need to, you’ll save around £35 on your household bills each year. 

2. Fix any drips 

A dripping tap can waste a whopping 1,460 litres of water per year, that’s enough for twenty baths! Make sure your taps are turned all the way off when you’ve finished using them, and don’t put off fixing any persistent drips. 

3. Spend one less minute in the shower

On average, we each spend around seven minutes in the shower. However, by reducing that time by just one minute, you could significantly cut your water usage. If everyone in a four-person household with a power shower spent just one minute less in the shower per day, they’d save a massive £60 on their yearly energy bills!

4. Fit your taps with aerators 

By simply fitting your taps with tap aerators, you’ll reduce your tap flow rates to just 5 litres per minute - a change which saves the average household £36 per year. 

5. Don’t leave the tap running

If you leave the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face, you could be wasting more than six litres of water per minute. Cut your costs by turning your tap off when you’re not using it. 

6. Opt for water-efficient appliances

If you need to replace your dishwasher or washing machine, why not think about investing in a water-efficient alternative? Look out for the Water Efficient Product Label or the Waterwise Recommended Checkmark when choosing a new appliance, as these will help you save water and money long term. 

7. Repair any leaks

If left unnoticed, an undetected leak in your loo can waste over 140,000 litres of water a year – that’s over £400 if you’re on a meter! LeakyLoo toilet leak detection strips are a handy and cost-efficient way of spotting any leaks in your cistern, allowing you to crack on with repairs before the costs start mounting up.

8. Fill your dishwasher

Only half-filling your dishwasher before switching it on can cost you a lot in water bills. Make sure your dishwasher is as full as possible for every cycle and you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also save on any additional washing up!

9. Only boil what you need

Overfilling the kettle wastes over £68 million in energy bills each year. By only boiling the amount of water you need next time you go to make a brew, you’ll save yourself money on both water and energy!

10. Wash your laundry at 30 degrees

Opting for a cool wash can really help you save on your household bills. By simply turning your washing machine down to 30 degrees, and only washing a full load each cycle, you could make an annual average saving of £13.

*All money saving stats are from the Energy Saving Trust and are based on having a water meter.

Looking for more ways to cut the cost of your household bills? Take a look at our water-efficiency hub for more ideas on how to save money.