We endure wet summers, and even wetter winters but unbelievably the UK has less water per person than in the Sudan and of the 150litres we each use each day around 1/3rd runs straight down the plughole without being used.

Water is a precious commodity, but as the number of appliances, power showers and small households continue to increase were using more energy and putting enormous pressure on our reservoirs and treatment works.

Wasting water in the bathroom – the facts

• A running tap uses 6 litres of water and a shower uses between 9 – 45 litres per minute.
• Flushing accounts for 30% of our daily water use – old cisterns can use up to 14 litres per flush, modern dual-flush designs as little as 2.6 litres.
• Fixing a dripping tap can save as much as 5000 litres a year.
• Showering (12%) and bathing (21%) account for 33% of our daily water.
• Baths use 80 litres every time, a five minute shower just 35 litres.

Climate change and the environment

You may not think water use contributes to climate change, but according to Waterwise* the energy used to pump, treat and heat the water in the average family's home produces the equivalent carbon of a return flight from London to New York or around 1.4tonnes CO2.

By conserving water you’ll also be helping to protect the wildlife that lives in rivers and wetlands. The more water used at home, the less there is available in rivers, lakes and wetlands, and as water levels fall, food for birds be lost and oxygen levels can become dangerously low for aquatic life.

Shower power – water saving solutions

Taking a quick shower instead of a bath is an effective way to save water in the bathroom, but you can take it a step further by installing the very latest in eco technology from Mira.

The Mira Eco Showerhead uses aeration technology that mixes water with tiny air bubbles to create an invigorating spray pattern you’d never think uses up to 75% less water than a standard shower head. Unlike many eco solutions it’s effortless to install – simply unscrew your existing head and replace.

Your choice of shower can also help save water; the Minilite Eco comes with a six or eight litre per minute flow as standard compared to the usual 12, saving thousands of litres over the year, without affecting performance. Similarly, the Mira Miniduo & Eco Showerhead saves up to 75% water and still delivers a great performance.

* Waterwise is an independent not-for-profit UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK by 2010.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Chris Haslam

---

 

Chris Haslam is a freelance consumer journalist specialising in home technology, appliances and environmental issues. Previously consumer editor for Ideal Home he now spends his days reviewing everything from the latest TV's, water saving devices and vacuum cleaners for a host of national newspapers and magazines including House Beautiful, the Sunday Mirror and T3. His latest book, 'How can I stop climate change?' written for environmental charity Friends of the Earth is out now from Collins.