Taking place next week, Water Saving Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of water efficiency whilst sharing tips on what we can all do to help save it and reduce how much we waste.
Water is a finite resource but it is in such high demand across households, businesses, schools and offices that we all need to work together to try and use only what we need. This is why this year Waterwise, the not-for-profit organisation behind the campaign, want to focus on the wider impact that water will have on our future.
The good news is that taking positive action now can help us make sure that there’s enough water to go around, for our communities and for the environment. Waterwise want to help businesses and communities to reduce their wasteful consumption and help people realise how important water is, and how easy it is to make small changes that make a big difference.
Each day of the week will have a different theme:
Monday - Water and Energy
Current energy prices in the UK are at an all-time high, and with 6.5 million households estimated to be in “fuel poverty”, making small changes to how we use water can reduce the wastage and help save money. There is also no better time to get a water metre installed, as studies have shown that most people use around 10% less water once they have one, as they are easily able to see how much they are using.
Tuesday - Water and Social Justice
According to National Energy Action, many households struggling to pay their energy bills will make a choice between heating their homes and eating. Many will even turn off their heating leaving them at acute risk of serious ill-health. Water has a crucial part to play in social justice – we need to make sure that the water we have is shared fairly across people, the economy and the environment.
Wednesday - Water and Food Security
The UK’s water footprint due to agriculture is 74.8 Gm3/yr, equivalent to 36 times the annual flow of the River Thames. Reducing our water use and making sustainable food choices helps us increase food security and contributes to keeping prices down.
Thursday - Water and Health
More than 3.6 billion people around the world do not have a toilet. So, flushing your toilet efficiently is one way to ensure we continue to enjoy one of the privileges that water affords us in the UK. Around 30% of water delivered to our homes is literally flushed away. Dual-flush toilets typically use 4-6 litres of water, as opposed to the old-style flush systems which use a massive 9-13 litres per flush. Upgrading to a dual-flush toilet, for example, could save a mighty 12,500 litres per person, per year. That’s the equivalent to 150 average-sized baths.
Friday - Water and the Natural Environment
Climate change means that our weather is less predictable and there is a higher possibility of dry spells, which have an impact on our water supplies and influence our water use. As over one-third of water supply in England and Wales comes from groundwater, increased demand alongside reduced rainfall means increased pressure on water resources with reduced groundwater quality and renewal.
You can find out more about Waterwise and the work they do on their website.
