Saving Water

Does one company charge for bringing my water and one for taking it away?

In some areas, one company will charge you for actually bringing your water and another company will charge you for taking it away. This means two nasty bills, which can come as a surprise. However, you can save money on water by asking for an exterior water meter to be installed. This monitors the water you use in the garden. As this soaks in and isn't taken away, you can save on sewage charges. You may have to pay up to £100 for the meter to be installed but some water boards may offer it free or discounted.

Where can I get information on water saving?

To get information on saving water try waterwise.org.uk. Any water board website will give you information on saving water. Try the environment agency and also B&Q's website which is diy.com

Which are more cost-effective - baths or showers?

The average bath uses 80 litres of water, but a five minute shower uses about a third of that. However, power showers and body spa showers are less cost-effective as they can use more water than a bath in less than five minutes. They use up to 20 litters of water a minute, so in five minutes, you've used a bath load of water. Cut a minute off shower time and save some water. Look out for showers with an eco setting that reduces the flow of water by 10%. MIRA is one of the makers selling these water-saving devices.