Saving water is essential to ensure there’s enough for everyone – today and in the future. Conserving water helps protect our environment, supports resilient communities, and reduces the impact of climate change. Learn more about simple ways to save water and why every drop counts.

Saving Water at Home: Practical Tips for Every Room
Water is an essential resource, but it’s easy to waste it without realising the impact. From bathrooms to gardens, there are simple yet effective ways to save water, reduce your bills, and help the environment. Here’s a guide to water-saving tips for your home, backed with important statistics and links to more resources.
Looking to save water at home? The Water Impact Widget is a free, easy-to-use tool designed just for you.
Created by Waterwise in partnership with Watergate, this handy calculator gives you a clear picture of your water use in just a few clicks.

Showers, toilets, and baths account for about half of household water use. Small changes in these areas can make a big difference.
Showers & Baths
- A typical bath uses around 80 litres of water. However, many power showers can use even more.
- Opt for a low-flow showerhead: These use around 6 litres per minute, compared to a standard showerhead, which uses 10-15 litres per minute. Over a 10-minute shower, that’s a saving of up to 90 litres of water.
- Aerated showerheads mix air with water to maintain pressure while reducing flow, offering a more water-efficient shower experience.
- Tip: Try to shorten your shower time to save even more water.
Toilets
- Toilets use about 25% of household water. And remember, this is drinking-quality water!
- Upgrade to a water-efficient toilet: Dual flush toilets use only 4-6 litres per flush, compared to older models that can use up to 13 litres.
- Cistern Displacement Device (CDD): This simple tool can reduce each flush by at least 1 litre and is often available for free from water suppliers. Find out more on your water company’s website.
- Tip: Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items like cotton balls or nappies to prevent waste and protect sewers. Only flush the 3Ps – Pee, Paper and Poo to prevent sewer blockages, pollution and water waste.
Leaky Loos
A leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water per day. Detecting a leak is quick and easy – join our Leaky Loo Challenge to find out how!

Kitchens use about 22% of household water. Here are some tips to help you reduce water usage while still getting the job done.
Dishwashing
- Dishwashers on eco settings are often more efficient than washing by hand, especially if the dishwasher is fully loaded.
- Tip: Avoid pre-rinsing dishes – scrape them instead, as modern detergents are designed to work effectively without extra rinsing.
- Tip: Use a washing-up bowl to catch excess water -this can reduce wastage by up to 50%. and reduce wastage.
Laundry
- Many washing machines are used for loads smaller than their maximum capacity. Fill your washing machine to its recommended load size for the most efficient use of water.
- Modern washing machines can use as little as 7.5 6 litres per kilogram of laundry. Check your washing machine’s label to ensure you are using a water-efficient model and setting.

Hoses and sprinklers can use around 1,000 litres per hour, which is more than 12 full baths.
If you do need to use a sprinkler, try to do so in the early morning or late afternoon when evaporation rates are lowest.
During dry spells, it’s fine to let your lawn go brown. It will green up again after rainfall.
Watering
- During dry spells, it’s fine to let your lawn go brown. It will green up again after rainfall. Water your garden in the early morning or late afternoon when evaporation rates are lowest.
- Tip: Use mulch and bark in your garden to reduce water evaporation by up to 75%.
Artificial turf may seem water-efficient, but it takes around 3,744 litres of water to produce 1 square metre. This is equivalent to watering a real lawn for 18 years! unlike natural lawns they do not absorb rainwater and may require frequent rinsing.
Watering Equipment
Use a watering can instead of a sprinkler, as it allows you to target the plant’s roots directly and saves water.

Food’s Water Footprint
The food industry is responsible for around 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, with livestock requiring about 20% of this.
Globally, beef production uses an average of 15,400 litres of water per kilogram, while pork uses 5,990 litres.
Tip: Consider eating less meat a more plant-based diet and sourcing local and seasonal produce to lower your water footprint.
Fashion’s Water Footprint
Producing one pair of jeans and a t-shirt uses up to 20,000 around 13,570 litres of water, mostly in the cotton growing and dyeing processes.
Helpful Resources
Water Efficiency in Business: A Guide to Saving Water at Work
Reducing water consumption in the workplace offers numerous benefits, beyond just cost savings. It helps businesses comply with current and future environmental legislation, reduces carbon footprints, improves environmental performance, and generates positive PR. Implementing water-saving practices is not just good for your business – it’s essential for the planet.
Looking to save water at work? The Water Impact Widget is a free, easy-to-use tool designed just for you. Created in partnership with Watergate, this handy calculator gives you a clear picture of your water use in just a few clicks.
Tailored for UK residents, the widget uses localised data to give you accurate insights – without collecting or storing any personal information. Start saving water, money, and the planet today!

Cost Savings: Reduce water bills and operational costs.
Environmental Compliance: Stay ahead of regulations.
Enhanced Reputation: Boost your company’s environmental credentials and gain positive PR.

Water fittings in multi-occupancy commercial buildings are used more frequently than in homes, which means the payback on investment can be significant. Simple adjustments and upgrades can lead to major long-term savings.

– Urinal Controls or Waterless Urinals
– Efficient Flush Toilets
– Automatic or Sensor Taps
– Eco-Friendly Office Kitchens: Install automatic taps or spray taps, and always use appliances with an eco setting to reduce consumption.
Educate Your Team
Empower your employees by educating them on the importance of water efficiency. Set water usage targets and encourage team participation. Upskill your staff with Waterwise training, so they can contribute effectively to your business’s water-saving goals.
Get Recognised with the Waterwise Checkmark
Showcase your commitment to water efficiency by earning the Waterwise Checkmark. This certification highlights that your business or office space has implemented water-saving technologies, signage, and engagement programs. Displaying this can help boost your CSR credentials and enhance your environmental reporting.
Work with Your Water Supplier
Your water supplier may offer water audits to assess your business’s water usage. Many suppliers also offer personalised water management packages, helping you design a water efficiency plan tailored to your needs.

Contact Your Supplier: Reach out to your water retail company for more information on their water efficiency services.
Explore Water Recycling: Water recycling systems are often more viable in business settings than in domestic environments. Find out where your water is being wasted and how you could recycle it within your business operations.
Resources for Businesses
Saving Water in Schools: Practical Tips for Educators and Students
Water is essential in schools, but without careful management, it’s easy to waste. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective ways to reduce water consumption in school buildings, grounds, and facilities. Below are some tips for schools to help conserve water, backed with important statistics and links to additional resources.
Help your school reduce its water usage with the Water Impact Widget – a free tool created by Waterwise in collaboration with Watergate. It’s simple to use and gives you valuable insights into your school’s water consumption.
Ideal for use in UK schools, the widget uses local data and doesn’t collect or store any personal information. Start making a difference at your school today and take a step towards a more water-efficient future!

Water used in classrooms, kitchens, and other areas can add up quickly. By making small adjustments, schools can save water and cut costs.

Toilets and handwashing facilities are major water users in schools. Implementing water-saving practices can reduce water consumption significantly.
Upgrade to Water-Efficient Toilets: Dual-flush toilets use just 4-6 litres per flush, compared to older models that can use up to 13 litres.
Install Cistern Displacement Devices (CDD): These simple devices reduce each flush by 1 litre. Many water suppliers offer them for free. Check your water supplier’s website for more information.
Fix Leaky Loos: A leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water a day.

Handwashing stations use significant amounts of water, especially in busy schools.
Install Water-Efficient Taps: Automatic or low-flow taps can significantly reduce water wastage by controlling flow rates.
Encourage Water-Efficient Habits: Remind students to turn off taps while lathering soap and to avoid running water when brushing their teeth.

Many local water companies offer free water audits for schools, helping identify where water can be saved.
Water Audits: Local water companies may provide free or subsidised audits, identifying areas for improvement. A study by Waterwise found that schools can save up to 3.13m³ of water per day through water-saving audits and initiatives.
Education Programmes: Some water companies also offer educational resources and programs to teach students about water conservation, helping them understand the importance of using water wisely.

Making water-saving fun can help engage students and encourage lifelong habits.
Be a Leak Detective! Follow the steps in our ‘How to be a Leak Detective’ handout to check for leaks around the school.
Animals in Waterways Word Search: Learn about the animals that live in rivers and canals and depend on water to survive.
The Diary of a Water Superhero: Read about a water superhero’s journey to save water, available in both English and Welsh.
Water Superhero Challenge: Challenge students to come up with their own water-saving superhero.
Downloadable Resources

Water efficiency is more than just a habit—it’s about building knowledge, taking action, and driving change. Whether you’re an individual, business, or community, explore our services designed to help you make a lasting impact.
