Session 4 WATER
Suggested links
4.1 Interesting facts
4.2 Taps
Fix dripping taps SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Turn off taps SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Fit water efficient tap adapters SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Plug the bowl GOLD actions – go for it!
4.3 Toilets
Use a cistern displacement device BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Install dual flush toilets SILVER actions – stepping it up!
4.4 Baths and showers
Fit a water efficient shower head BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Spend less time in the shower GOLD actions – go for it!
Switch from baths to showers GOLD actions – go for it!
4.5 Outside use
Install a water butt / rain barrel BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Use a bucket to wash your car BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Avoid sprinklers and hoses – use a watering can PLATINUM actions – do big things!
4.6 Other actions
Complete a household water audit BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Install a water meter SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Replace an old washing machine or dishwasher with a water efficient one SILVER actions – stepping it up!
4.7 Typical water use for a range of activities
Information in this document is from ecoteams site for registered members http://www.ecoteams.org.uk/ You are advised to check the live web sites for more up to date information. Christine 19/10/10.
Session 4 Water Suggested links
Waterwise – reducing water wastage in the UK
Waterwise Marque for products which highlight water efficiency or reduce water wastage www.waterwise.org.uk
Quick tips to be water wise www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/quick_tips.html
How do I know what sort of toilet I have? www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/toilet_flushing_at_home.html
Waterwise Marque winning bathroom products www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/personal_washing__baths_and_taps.html
Quick tips to reduce water wastage in the kitchen www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/washing_up_2.html
How to install water butt www.waterwise.org.uk/images/site/Documents/water%20butt%20-.pdf
Defra Top tips for Saving Water http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/strategy/pdf/factsheet-watersavingtips.pdf
Environment Agency
Save water in the home www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/beinggreen/118946.aspx
Re-use & harvesting water www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/beinggreen/118948.aspx
Which? Install a water meter. Is it worth it? www.which.co.uk/environment-and-saving-energy/environment-and-greener-living/guides/switching-to-a-water-meter/
Consumer Council for Water. Calculator to see if water meter would save you money www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.388
BigGreenSmile Natural and cleaning products for your green home www.biggreensmile.com
4.1 Interesting facts
Water is our most valuable resource and is likely to become scarcer, especially with the impacts of climate change. Whilst we think of the UK as rainy, many places have less water per person than ‘dry’ countries like Sudan and Syria.
Saving water in the home and garden will also reduce CO2 emissions. The average family’s annual water consumption results in as much CO2 as two transatlantic flights. Source: Waterwise. Water is treated and pumped to our homes and treated and pumped when disposed of safely. Most of the CO2 associated with water comes from the energy used to heat it. A quarter of our energy bill may be due to our hot water use. How do we rank water saving actions?
BRONZE actions – saving up to 5,000 litres per household per year
SILVER actions – 5,001 to 10,000 litres
GOLD actions – 10,001 to 15,000 litres
PLATINUM actions – over 15,000 litres per year
CO2 figures assume gas water heating, CO2 savings will be higher with electric water heating.
Few of us think we waste water, but many household activities use more water than necessary. We’ll show you how to spot water being wasted and how to use less. Measuring your water use
A few simple ideas to get you started
- wash fruit and vegetables in bowls of water rather than under the running tap
- keep a water jug in the fridge rather than running the tap until it’s cold enough to drink
- keep a jug by the sink to fill while water from the hot tap is warming up – use on the garden and house plants
- water plants in the evening once the sun has gone down, less water will evaporate before it has had a chance to reach the roots. Using a mulch around garden plants will reduce the need for watering
- reduce the impact of cleaning chemicals that you use by using our ‘natural cleaning’ guide
If you’re thinking of buying a water saving device, look out for the Waterwise Marque, which demonstrates that it has been independently assessed. Waterwise Marque at Waterwise.
Over last 30 years our domestic water use has risen by 70%. UK residents av 150 litres of water / day. 63% washing ourselves and flushing the toilet. (A quarter of our energy bill may be due to our hot water use.)
| Water usage | |
| Flushing toilet | 30% |
| Baths and taps | 21% |
| Clothes washing | 13% |
| Showers | 12% |
| Washing up | 8% |
| Outside | 7% can rise to 50% in summer |
| Drinking | 4% |
| Other | 5% |
Available water per person – UK came behind Spain and Mexico (UK has high population and high standards for amount of water needs to remain in rivers). E, SE and S UK classed as “seriously stretched” by Environment Agency, Midlands & SW “moderate water stress”, rest of country “low water stress”. Scotland not generally water stressed but some areas under “severe stress”. We think of the UK as rainy, many places have less water per person than ‘dry’ countries like Sudan and Syria. Leakage figures 4,372 million litres/day for whole UK, equivalent to 71 litres / person /day. Water companies under great pressure to reduce. Total leakage fallen by 1/3 since mid 1990s. Each km water pipe loses av 10 cubic metres water/day. In 2006 Thames Water committed to spending £150m as failed to meet leakage targets. Chemicals in home can cause health issues on sewers and rivers if not disposed of properly. Look out for bleach, phosphates (in washing liquids & powders), fats, oils and grease, medicines, engine oils, paints and chemicals.
Buying a water saving device – look out for Waterwise Marque, been independently assessed.
Taps
A leaky tap wastes 5,500 litres water/yr. Replace washer, save 8 buckets water/ week, 416/yr!
If all brush teeth for 2 mins with tap on, we waste 12 litres of water. If entire adult population of England & Wales turned tap off, we could save 12.8 million buckets/day – enough to fill 72 Olympic-sized swimming pools. If everyone in the UK switched off the tap whilst brushing their teeth, collectively we would save enough water to fill the Millennium Dome in 1 week.
Running taps can use up to 25 litres of water/minute. Aerators or spray fittings restrict water flow between 50% – 70%, without reducing water pressure. Washing up or rinsing without plugging the sink wastes water. Washing up in a bowl can save more than half of the water you would use.
Modern efficient dishwashers can use less water than washing up. They can use same amount of energy, so if have dishwasher, wash full loads, don’t waste water rinsing dishes first.
Toilets
In a typical home 30% of water usage goes on flushing the toilet. Single flush toilets use around 9 litres/flush. Old style toilets can use up to 13 litres/flush. Dual flush toilets (installed after 2001) – 4 litres for reduced flush or 6 litres for full flush. Most efficient toilets may use 2.5 litres/flush.
Pre 2001 then ‘Hippo’ will displace about one litre water/flush – take £9 off annual water bill.
Baths and showers
Baths uses 80 litres water, 5 min shower uses 35 litres, 5 min power shower uses over 60 litres.
Outside
Hosepipes use 18 litres/minute. Washing the car with hose uses 300 litres water. Using a bucket reduces water use to 35-70 litres.
In half an hour a garden sprinkler uses as much water as a family of four in 1 day.
Collect rainwater from roof for loo flushing and washing machine? More cost effective to minimise usage before collecting your own. First calculate likely storage capacity to help estimate cost.
Other actions
Install a water meter – reduce water use by 5-10% /yr. Small household likely to save more money than large household. In 2008, av household without water meter spent £362/yr on water. Households with meters spent £309/year.
Embedded water
Almost everything we use requires water for production and manufacture. Embedded water = “hidden water” = water footprint of a product. In developed world water footprint estimated at 3,400 litres / person / day. Of this direct consumption is approx 150 litres / person / day.
| Embedded water | |
| Cup of coffee | 140 litres |
| Pair of jeans | 11,000 litres |
| New car | 400,000 litres |
Importing food like green beans from Kenya effectively means we are importing water from Kenya into the UK. Products which are manufactured in water-poor countries may result in diversion of water away from public drinking supplies. What can we do about it? Cut down on eating meat – or switch to more chicken or less beef.
1kg beef requires 15,500 litres water. 1kg chicken required 3,300 litres
4.2 Taps
UK residents use on average 150 litres of water every day. 63% of this is used for washing ourselves and flushing the toilet. Source: Waterwise.
There is so much we can do inside our home to reduce the amount of water we waste, often at very little or no cost. Start by measuring how much water your taps use.
Fix dripping taps : Silver – stepping it up!
A leaky tap will generally waste around 5,500 litres of water a year. Just by replacing or tightening that washer, you could save the equivalent of 8 buckets of water a week, 416 in a year! Also check if your toilet cistern is leaking, either via the overflow or into the bowl. Source: Defra (download Defra’s water saving tips PDF). More advice at Waterwise.
- Water saving: 5,500 litres per tap per year
- CO2 saving per year: 2kg (will be higher if it’s the hot tap)
- Cost to implement: £1-20 … if you can do the job yourself
Turn off taps : Silver – stepping it up!
If we all brush our teeth for 2 minutes with the tap on, we waste 12 litres of water. Turning the tap off is so easy to do, and if the entire adult population of England and Wales did so, we could save 12.8 million buckets a day. That’s enough to fill 72 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Source: Defra (download Defra’s water saving tips PDF). Read more at Waterwise.
- Water saving: 8,400 litres per year
- CO2 saving per year: 3.4kg
- Cost to implement: Free
Fit water efficient tap adapters : Silver – stepping it up!
Running taps can use up to 25 litres of water every minute. Aerators or spray fittings restrict the flow of water from your tap by between 50% and 70%, without reducing water pressure. They are easy to fit and usually allow the full flow of water when the tap is fully open – making it easy to fill a kettle or saucepan. More at Waterwise.
- Water saving: 5 litres per minute
- CO2 saving per year: 7.5kg, assuming some of this is hot water
- Cost to implement: £5
Plug the bowl : GOLD actions – go for it!
Washing up or rinsing without plugging the sink wastes water. Washing up in a bowl can save more than half of the water you would otherwise use. Source: Waterwise.
Modern efficient dishwashers can actually use less water than washing up. However, they can use the same amount of energy, so if you have a dishwasher, make sure you wash full loads and don’t waste water rinsing dishes that will be cleaned in the dishwasher. More at Waterwise.
- Water saving: 10,200 litres per house per year
- CO2 saving per year: 52kg
- Cost to implement: Free
4.3 Toilets
In a typical home 30% of water usage goes to flushing the toilet. Most single flush toilets use around 9 litres per flush and an old style one can use up to 13 litres.
Use a cistern displacement device : BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
A cistern displacement device is the simplest way to reduce flush volumes. Popping a ‘save a flush’ bag or ‘Hippo’ into your cistern will displace about one litre of water every time you flush and take about £9 off your annual metered water bill. You won’t need one of these in toilets installed after 2001 or a dual flush toilet. More about toilet products at Waterwise. More about toilet flushing – Waterwise .
- Water saving: 4,000 litres per year
- CO2 saving per year: 1.7kg
- Cost to implement: Free from your water company
Install dual flush toilets : SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Toilets installed after 2001 often have a dual flush that releases 4 litres for a reduced flush or 6 litres for a full flush. The most efficient toilets may use as little as 2.5 litres per flush. If you don’t already have a dual flush there are three options:
1. Your toilet may just need a simple adjustment to allow it to operate as a dual flush.
2. If your toilet is very old (pre 1930) you can install a new, efficient cistern.
3. You can upgrade your toilet using a Waterwise Marque low flush device.
More about low flush devices at Waterwise. More about toilet flushing – Waterwise.
- Water saving: 7,000 litres per house per year
- CO2 saving per year: 2.8kg
- Cost to implement: £20-300
4. Baths and showers
Showers vary hugely in how much water they use. A five minute power shower can use as much water as a bath. Start by checking how much water your shower uses.
Fit a water efficient shower head : BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Water efficient shower heads use water more effectively by aerating the water or making the droplets collide for a more invigorating feel. Check the installation guidelines as not all can be used on electric showers. Download Waterwise saving water personal washing guide (PDF).
- Water saving: over 4,000 litres per house per year
- CO2 saving per year: 15kg
- Cost to implement: £12-80
Spend less time in the shower : GOLD actions – go for it!
Whichever shower we use we can save a lot of water if we spend just a minute or two less under the water. To help you with this shower timers are widely available. Your water company may even provide one for free. Shower timer products at Big Green Smile website.
One way to reduce the water you use while showering is to turn the water off whilst lathering and turn it back on to rinse. More about showers and baths at Environment Agency website.
- Water saving: 11,200 litres per house per year, by cutting 10 minutes per week off your showering time
- CO2 saving per year: 38kg per person
- Cost to implement: £0-13
Switch from baths to showers : GOLD actions – go for it!
Taking regular baths can significantly increase your water use. Baths use an average of 75 litres of water; whereas a short shower uses less than half that amount. If you switch the majority of your baths for short showers, the savings will be huge.
You might want to collect water in a bucket while waiting for the shower to heat up before entering it. If you do take a bath, why not reuse the water on the garden? A portable siphon or a diverter plug will make this process easier. Download Waterwise saving water personal washing guide (PDF).
- Water saving: Over 14,000 litres per house per year
- CO2 saving per year: 47kg per person
- Cost to implement: Free
4.5 Outside use
Considering the amount of water you use outside and looking at the alternatives will save a huge amount of water.
Install a water butt/rain barrel : BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Some 85,000 litres of rain hit your roof and simply runs down the drain every year (Source: Waterwise). If you install a water butt, you can collect some of this to water your garden or wash your car, instead of using tap water. Rainwater is better for your plants than tap.
The cost of the butt and its water and CO2 savings will depend on the size of container you invest in, but check whether your water company offers any discounts. Download Waterwise guide to installing a water butt (PDF).
- Water saving per year: 1,000 litres per water butt
- CO2 saving per year: 0.1kg
- Cost to implement: £20-150
Use a bucket to wash your car : BRONZE actions – quick solutions!
Washing the car with a hose uses about 300 litres of water. Using a bucket instead will achieve a more thorough wash and reduce water use to 35-70 litres. (Source: Waterwise).
You can reuse bath or shower water rather than using fresh water from the tap. You could also reduce the amount of times you wash your car.
- Water saving: 230-265 litres per use
- CO2 saving per year: 0.5kg if washed once per month
- Cost to implement: Free
Avoid sprinklers and hoses – use a watering can : PLATINUM actions – do big things!
Sprinklers and hoses can use as much as 1,000 litres of water per hour. Source: Waterwise.
If you do use a sprinkler, use it early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid evaporation. If you use a hose, fit a trigger gun head so that the water turns off when you are not using it.
Best of all opt for a watering can (with a spray head) to direct the water exactly where it’s needed and to avoid over-watering.
- Water saving: 1,000 litres per hour; 60,000 litres per year if used moderately during summer months.
- CO2 saving per year: 7kg
- Cost to implement: Free
A note on rainwater harvesting
It’s tempting (and technically possible) to collect rainwater from the roof for toilet flushing and washing machine use. However, it is more cost effective to minimise usage before beginning to collect your own.
The Environment Agency produces a review of the current state of play regarding rainwater harvesting. The first step is to calculate the likely storage capacity needed as this will help estimate the total cost. More at Environment Agency.
4.6 Other actions
Complete a household water audit : BRONZE actions – easy solutions!
Use a form to identify where your high water uses are. PDF download to measure water use.
- Water saving: common savings of 3,600 litres per house per year
- CO2 saving per year: 4kg per person
- Cost to implement: Free
Install a water meter : SILVER actions – stepping it up!
People who install a water meter in their home generally reduce their water use by 5-10% per year. However, a small household is likely to save more money than a large household by installing a meter.
Installing a meter makes you more aware of your water use and helps you spot leaks more quickly. Most water companies will install a water meter for free, after an initial assessment to check that your house and mains supply is suitable to be metered.
- Water saving: 5-10% reduction on household water use
- CO2 saving per year: 7-14kg
- Cost to implement: Free (water company needs to install)
Switching to water meter – Which. Water savings calculator – Consumer Council for Water.
Replace an old washing machine or dishwasher with a water efficient one : SILVER actions – stepping it up!
Modern appliances can use much less water. If it’s time to replace yours then visit the Waterwise website to find efficient models. Water efficiency products – Waterwise.
- Water saving: up to 10,000 litres per year
- CO2 saving per year: 89kg
- Cost to implement: e.g. £250-550
4.7 Typical water use for a range of activities
| Bath | 80 litres per bath | 50 – 350 litres | |
| Brushing teeth | With the tap running | 6 litres per min | 2 – 20 litres |
| Using a cup | 1 litres each time | 0.5 – 2 litres | |
| Car washing | Conventional ‘drive through’ | 150 litres per wash | 80 – 300 litres |
| ‘Drive through’ which reuses water | 30 litres per wash | 10 – 50 litres | |
| Spray wash | 50 litres per wash | 45 – 55 litres | |
| At home with hose + trigger gun | 300 litres per wash | 150 – 400 litres | |
| At home with a bucket | 35 litres per wash | 10 – 70 litres | |
| Dishwashing machines | Manufactured before 2000 | 25 litres per load | 15 – 50 litres |
| Manufactured after 2000 | |||
| On normal setting | 14 litres per load | 7 – 19 litres | |
| On “Eco” setting | 10 litres per load | 8 – 12 litres | |
| Food prep | Under a running tap | 9 litres per min | 6 – 25 litres |
| Using a bowl with the tap off | 8 litres each time | 5 – 10 litres | |
| In a plugged sink | 16 litres each time | 8 – 32 litres | |
| Hosepipe | Hosepipe With a trigger gun/nozzle fitting | 600 litres per hr | 400 – 800 litres |
| Without trigger gun/nozzle | 1000 litres per hr | 600 – 1200 litres | |
| Pressure washer | 400 loitres per hr | 330 – 600 litres | |
| Shaving | Shaving With the tap running | 6 litres per min | 2 – 20 litres min |
| Using a cup | 1 litres per shave | 0.5 – 2 litres | |
| Using a plugged basin | 6 litres per shave | 4 – 15 litres | |
| Shower | Shower Electric (kettle-on-the-wall) | 6 litres per min | 3 – 9 litres |
| ‘Mixer’ – using hot & cold water: | |||
| Gravity fed1 | 9 litres per min | 4 – 14 litres | |
| Mains fed2 | 15 litres per min | 12 – 25 litres | |
| Aerated or water efficient | 8 litres per min | 6 – 8 litres | |
| Power shower | 15 litres per min | 13 – 16 litres | |
| Super sized showerhead | 25 litres per min | 20 – 35 litres | |
| Multiple showerheads | 45 litres per min | 30+ litres per min | |
| Sprinkler | 1000 litres per hr | 600 – 1200 litres | |
| Tap dripping | 15 litres per day | 5 – 75 litres | |
| Tap left running | In the kitchen | 9 litres per min | 6 – 25 litres |
| At a bathroom basin | 6 litres per min | 2 – 20 litres | |
| Toilet | Manufactured before 1991 | 10 litres per flush | 9 – 14 litres |
| Manufactured 1991-2001 | 8 litres per flush | 7.5 – 9 litres | |
| Manufactured after 1991 | 5 litres per flush | 3 – 6.5 litres | |
| Washer-drier | (litres per kg washed and dried) | 32 litres | 18 – 54 litres |
| Washing hands or face | With the tap running | 6 litres per min | 2 – 20 litres |
| In a plugged basin | 6 litres each time | 4 – 15 litres | |
| Washing machine | Manufactured before 2000 | 80 litres per load | 50 – 110 litres |
| Manufactured after 2000: | |||
| On normal settting | 50 litres per load | 40 – 75 litres | |
| On “Eco” settting | 35 litres per load | 30 – 40 litres | |
| Washing up | Under a running tap | 9 litres per min | 6 – 25 litres |
| Using a bowl with the tap off | 8 litres per wash | 5 – 10 litres | |
| In a plugged sink | 16 litres per wash | 8 – 32 litres | |
| Waste disposal unit | (used with running water) | 9 litres per min | 6 – 25 litres |
1 ‘Gravity fed’ is a shower where the hot water is supplied via a tank, e.g. in the loft
2 ‘Mains fed’ is where the hot water is delivered at mains pressure
END