Reducing your water footprint means using less water in your home 

Quick wins 

• Turn off taps while brushing teeth, shaving or washing hands. 

• Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets promptly. 

• Take shorter showers and avoid unnecessary baths. 

• Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. 

• Use eco settings where available. 

• Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until cold. 

Bathroom changes 

• Fit a water-efficient shower head if compatible with your system. 

• Use a four-minute shower timer to reduce hot-water use. 

• Whilst waiting for the shower to heat up save the cold water in a bucket to use either in the garden or to flush the toilet 

• Install tap aerators to maintain pressure while reducing flow. 

• Use dual-flush toilets correctly  

• Check for “silent” toilet leaks by looking for ripples in the bowl or using a leak-detection strip from your water supplier. 

Kitchen and laundry changes 

• Wash fruit, vegetables and dishes in a bowl rather than under a running tap. 

• Reuse leftover clean water for plants where appropriate. 

• Fill the kettle only with the amount of water needed. 

• Scrape plates instead of rinsing them before loading the dishwasher. 

• Choose efficient appliances when replacing washing machines or dishwashers. 

Garden and outdoor use 

• Install a water butt to collect rainwater for the garden. 

• Use a watering can instead of a hose or sprinkler. 

• Water plants early in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation. 

• Add mulch to beds and containers to keep moisture in the soil. 

• Choose drought-tolerant plants and avoid over-watering lawns. 

• Wash cars with a bucket rather than a hose.