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Saving Water
Water - We all need it, we can't live without it, and yet we are using more and more of it. It's a precious resource. Although we appear to have plenty of rain in Guernsey, our water resources are constantly under pressure.
We use 70% more water today than we did 40 years ago, mainly due to our change in lifestyle. Population growth also puts a strain on supplies, and with the unknown effects of climate change we must ensure that we use water as sensibly as possible. By way of an example, we each use an average of nearly 140 litres of water a day in our homes, whilst our great grandparents managed with about 18 litres.
Why not Get Water Fit with Guernsey Water, learn where you can make easy wins to save water in your home and order free water saving devices:
By cutting down on your water use you can:
- Save money
- Reduce the possibility of water shortages and summer water rationing
- Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases which are responsible for global warming
- Reduce the amount of energy and chemicals used in the treatment and pumping of water
Saving Water Devices
There are a number of cheap and simple to use water saving devices on the market. These devices, if properly used, can save water, energy and money. Here are a few examples of these devices:
Dual Flush - Dual flushing systems give you the option to utilise a smaller volume flush instead of the full volume flush all the time, thus saving water. Most modern toilets are fitted with a dual flush system anyway, but they can also be retro-fitted to existing systems - any bathroom stockists should be able to do this.
Shower Timer - This can be very useful in limiting the amount of time you spend in the shower. A shower can use a lot of water, particularly in the case of power showers, so by spending less time showering you can save lots of water. Plenty of online companies sell specific shower timers, but you could always use a normal timer or stopwatch with an audible alarm. It is recommended that showers are reduced to 4 - 5 minutes as this tends to be much shorter than the average time that most people spend in the shower.
Aerator Taps/Showerheads - These tap/showerheads pump air into the water flow, which reduces the amount of water used. They are available from most bathroom stockists.
Water Butts - A water butt can be positioned to catch run-off from the roof of a property, and this harvested water can be used for watering your garden, potentially saving lots of water. They are available from DIY and garden centres. Alternatively, you could simply use a clean dustbin or another watertight storage unit to collect the water. Water collected in a water butt should not be used inside the house.
Guernsey Water has put together information sheets giving helpful tips on how to save water. These can be downloaded by clicking on the links at the bottom of this webpage.