Why do we need to think about Water? (2012)

Waterwise give an overview of why we need to use less water, how much water is used on different activities in the home and how water use can be reduced in the home.

In the UK every person uses approximately 150 litres of water a day, a figure that has been growing every year by 1% since 1930. If you take into account the water that is needed to produce the food and products you consume in your day-to-day life (known as embedded water) you actually consume 3400 litres per day.

This is quite alarming if you consider that the UK has less available water per person than most other European countries. If you live in the South east of England it is even more so, as this part of the country is the most water stressed.

Heating up water to take a shower or wash clothes in the washing machine not only impacts on your energy bills, but also results in the release of greenhouse gases, linking it to climate change. As much as 25% of your household’s energy bill comes from heating water, and domestic hot water accounts for 5% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, water companies also use lots of energy treating and pumping cold water, and this in turn releases even more greenhouse gases.

By making small behavioural changes and choosing more water efficient products you can save water with- out sacrificing too much money, comfort, or level of service. Water efficiency is about reducing the amount of water you waste on a daily basis, not restricting what you use.