Reducing Water Wastage in the UK

A new report published today by Waterwise highlights possibilities for refitting domestic properties to save water. This approach could provide an additional way for water companies to balance supply and demand, whilst reducing household bills and saving both water and energy.

Over the past few years the UK water companies have carried out a large number of water efficiency trials; these have involved fitting water saving devices in thousands of customers’ homes and monitoring the savings. The devices tested ranged from aerated showerheads to low flush toilet conversion kits, and water butts to shower timers.

As part of their contribution to the Environment Minister's Water Saving Group, Waterwise have collated and analysed these projects and produced an in-depth report that reveals the potential savings of and the various approaches to undertaking efficiency programmes. The report has also developed a number of scenarios for potential low-cost, high-yield, large-scale water efficiency programmes.

The report shows that large-scale retrofit is a possible and economically viable option to meet future water needs, alongside new resource development; however, it is also clear that delivering large-scale programmes requires partnership working and that it is difficult for water companies to deliver these programmes alone.

Jane Kennedy, the new Environment Minister, said:

“Hard pressed householders know that none of us can afford to be wasteful with water in our homes – it costs money and energy. While all of us have a role to play water companies can make a big difference by making it easier for people to save water and money.

“I very much welcome the water efficiency initiatives individual companies have taken and this helpful report shows that there is more that can be done to help customers use water more wisely.”

Jean Spencer, Regulation Director at Anglian Water and Chair of Waterwise’s Steering Group for the project, said:

“Water companies are looking very seriously at large-scale water efficiency programmes, but we need to make sure that these programmes are practical and economic. This report helps develop our understanding in these two key areas.”

Jacob Tompkins, Director of Waterwise, said:

“The report shows that retrofitting people’s homes is practical and economic. It can save the householder money on bills; it can save water and energy; and it can offset capital investment in infrastructure for water companies.”

The publication of the report is timed to coincide with the development of water company water resource plans and the periodic review of water company prices.

Notes to Editors
1. A copy of the report is available to download from www.waterwise.org.uk.
2. Waterwise is an independent, not-for-profit, nongovernmental organisation focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK by 2010 and building the evidence base for large-scale water efficiency. We are the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK.
3. We sit on the Environment Minister’s Water Saving Group alongside the water industry and regulators.
4. Our aim is to reverse the upward trend in how much water we all use at home and at work by 2010.
5. Everyone in the UK uses an average of 150 litres per day; the Government’s Future Water strategy sets an aspiration of 130 litres per day.
6. The UK has less available water per person than most other European countries including Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Contacts:
Victoria Higgins
Communications Executive, Waterwise
020 7344 1838
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BT

Jacob Tompkins
Director, Waterwise
07793 709567
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BT