Reducing Water Wastage in the UK

Today Waterwise is relaunching the Waterwise Marque for the third year in a row in order to help consumers save money on water and energy bills. With summer now a mere memory, and the winter months fast approaching, we’ll all soon be heating our homes and watching our energy bills escalate. But by saving water and energy in other areas of the home we can keep costs down. The Waterwise Marque helps consumers identify which products are water efficient and by reducing our hot water consumption, we in turn use less energy and save money. 

27 products have so far been awarded the Marque ranging from showerheads and dishwashers to waterbutts and water storing gel for the garden amongst many others. The Marque is awarded annually to products that help reduce water wastage and increase water efficiency. Look out for the Waterwise Marque on products in hardware stores and supermarkets. When you see it you can guarantee you will be buying a quality product which is water efficient.

‘Despite the recent summer being wet, it is still important for us all to reduce the amount of water we waste every day. Since 1930 we have been using 1% more water every year, and this is unsustainable’ says Jacob Tompkins, Director of Waterwise. ‘Using products awarded with the Waterwise Marque will help reduce our water consumption and save us money on our water bills and energy bills. Also, it helps the environment and helps to slow down the effects of climate change – what more incentive do you need?’ 

If you are a manufacturer or distributor of a product which you believe is water efficient and would like to enter for the Waterwise Marque please contact Victoria Higgins, Communications Coordinator, Waterwise 020 7344 1883. The Marque is judged on the four criteria:
- The product is water efficient or raises the awareness of water efficiency
- The product is widely available on the UK market
- The product is of good quality design
- The product is of high performance

Once awarded the Marque, you will be able to use the Marque to provide clear, independently endorsed, point of sale information to the buyer. 

For more information on applying for the Waterwise Marque, simply visit www.waterwise.org.uk Alternatively get in touch with Victoria Higgins, Communications Coordinator, Waterwise 020 7344 1883.

Notes to Editors
1. Waterwise is an independent, not for profit, non-governmental 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. We sit on the UK Environment Minister’s Water Saving Group alongside the water industry and regulators.
2. Our aim is to reverse the upward trend in how much water we all use at home and at work by 2010.
3. We work together with key partners in the water companies, governments (UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and local governments), manufacturers, retailers, NGOs, environmentalists, regulators, agriculture, business, domestic consumers and the media.
4. For more information please visit www.waterwise.org.uk
5. The Waterwise Marque is an Award Programme run by Waterwise for water efficient products. It is judged annually by an independent panel. For more information on the Marque visit: http://www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/the_waterwise_marque.html

Contacts:
Chris Philpot
Communications Manager, Waterwise
020 7957 4615
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1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BT

Victoria Higgins
Communications Coordinator, Waterwise
020 7344 1883
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1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9BT