Our new tool to help customers save water
A new online tool has been launched to help people protect water following one of the driest Aprils on record.
Met Office figures show that England saw just over a third of its average April rainfall, with parts of the South East receiving even less than that. The region is already one of the driest in the UK and by 2030, water demand could outstrip supply.
We are delivering our biggest ever investment programme to safeguard against water shortages. This includes funding new water sources; using new technology to prevent and fix leaks, and building new infrastructure, including reservoirs.
We're also asking customers to play a part. A Water UK poll found that most UK households use more than five times the amount of water they think they do. Our new online water calculator gives people a tailored picture of their consumption and offers bespoke advice on where they could save water and reduce their bills.
Our Water Efficiency Manager Kim Turnbull said:
“There are so many factors that impact our water usage, from how often we water our lawn to how long we’re spending in the shower.
"Some people might have a dog that needs a lot of baths or a hot tub they like to relax in after work. Our water calculator uses these individual details to estimate a household’s water usage and highlight where it may be possible to make savings.
“We recognise the work we need to do as a company to protect against water shortages and we hope customers will also play their part by using tools like these. It may seem that something as simple as taking a shorter shower or installing a water butt in the garden won’t make much difference. But if we all take these small steps, they add up to huge savings.”
In addition to online tools, customers whose water consumption is significantly higher than average are offered home visits where engineers can install more water-efficient devices, identify and fix hidden leaks and offer water-efficiency tips. We are also trialling water-saving kits containing gadgets such as tap aerators or shower timers designed to provide people with easy, immediate ways to cut water consumption.
Meanwhile, schools and businesses can apply for funding to introduce innovative water-saving schemes through our Business Partnership Fund, which opened for a new round last month. The fund has already supported more than 20 new projects in schools, garden centres, animal sanctuaries and leisure centres, saving more than 50 megalitres of water – the equivalent of 20 Olympic swimming pools.