How to Reduce Your Water Usage and Save Money
Practical ways to use less water at home. Some save a few pounds, others save over a hundred. Here is what actually makes a difference.
If you’re on a water meter, every litre costs money. Showers are the biggest water user in most homes, followed by toilets. Fixing leaks and using appliances efficiently makes the biggest difference. Small changes add up to noticeable savings.
The average person in the UK uses around 140 litres of water per day. On a metered supply at typical rates, that’s roughly £200-£250 per person per year. Cutting your usage cuts your bill.
Where Water Goes
Understanding where water gets used helps you focus on what matters:
| Activity | Litres Per Use | % of Household Use |
|---|---|---|
| Showers | 40-80 per shower | 25% |
| Toilets | 6-9 per flush | 22% |
| Baths | 80-100 per bath | 12% |
| Washing machines | 50-100 per load | 12% |
| Taps (general use) | 6 per minute | 15% |
| Dishwashers | 10-15 per load | 4% |
| Gardens | Variable | 7% |
| Other | - | 3% |
Showers and toilets account for nearly half of water use. That’s where to focus.
Big Savings: Showers
A standard shower uses 10-15 litres per minute. A power shower uses 15-20 litres per minute. Even a water-efficient shower head uses 6-9 litres per minute.
What works:
Cut shower time in half - Going from 8 minutes to 4 minutes saves 40-60 litres per shower. For a household of 4, that’s potentially £100+ per year.
Fit a water-efficient shower head - Reduces flow without feeling much different. Many water companies provide these free. Saves 20-30 litres per shower.
Turn off while soaping up - Adds a few seconds to turn on/off but saves litres each time.
Shower timer - A 4-minute timer (also often free from water companies) makes you aware of time passing.
Medium Savings: Toilets
Old toilets use 9-13 litres per flush. Modern dual-flush toilets use 4-6 litres for full flush, 2-4 litres for reduced flush.
What works:
Use the small flush - For liquid waste only, the small flush is enough. Saves 3-5 litres per flush.
Don’t use the toilet as a bin - Flushing tissues or cotton buds wastes water and can cause blockages.
Fix running toilets - A toilet that runs constantly can waste 200+ litres a day. If you can hear water running when no one’s used the loo, fix it.
Cistern displacement device - A bag or “hippo” in the cistern reduces water per flush. Many water companies provide these free. Saves 1-2 litres per flush.
Easy Wins: Taps and Kitchen
Don’t leave taps running - Running a tap while brushing teeth or washing up wastes 6 litres per minute. Turn it off.
Use the plug - Washing up in a bowl uses less water than under running water. Same for washing vegetables.
Full loads only - Running a half-empty washing machine or dishwasher wastes half the water. Wait until you have a full load.
Use eco modes - Modern appliances have eco settings that use less water and energy. They take longer but cost less.
Fix dripping taps - A dripping tap can waste 5,500 litres per year. Usually just needs a new washer - cheap and easy to fix.
Garden and Outside
Gardens can use huge amounts of water, especially in summer.
Water butt - Collects rainwater from your roof. Free water for the garden. A decent butt holds 200+ litres.
Water in evening - Less evaporates when it’s cooler. More water reaches the roots.
Mulch beds and borders - Mulch reduces evaporation from soil. Less watering needed.
Don’t water the lawn - Grass goes brown in dry spells but recovers when rain returns. Watering lawns uses enormous amounts of water for cosmetic benefit.
Trigger hose gun - Stops water when you release. Prevents waste while moving between plants.
Don’t jet wash unless necessary - Pressure washers use a lot of water. Clean drives and patios less often.
Checking for Leaks
Leaks are invisible money drains, especially underground or in walls.
How to check:
- Turn off all water-using appliances and taps
- Read your meter
- Wait 1-2 hours without using water
- Read meter again
- If it’s moved, you have a leak
Common leak spots:
- Toilet cisterns (often silent)
- Underground supply pipes
- Central heating systems
- Outdoor taps and hosepipes
Report leaks to your water company if they’re on the supply side (before your stop tap). Fix them yourself if they’re on your property.
Free Stuff From Water Companies
Many water companies give away water-saving products:
- Water-efficient shower heads
- Shower timers
- Tap aerators (reduce flow)
- Cistern bags
- Hosepipe trigger guns
- Garden watering crystals
Check your water company’s website for their “save water” section. These are genuinely free, not trials or subscriptions.
Is It Worth Bothering?
If you’re not metered, saving water only saves the planet, not your wallet. Still worth doing, but there’s no financial incentive.
If you are metered, the savings add up:
| Change | Approximate Annual Saving |
|---|---|
| Shorter showers (family of 4) | £80-£120 |
| Efficient shower head | £40-£60 |
| Fix dripping tap | £20-£30 |
| Full loads only | £20-£40 |
| Fix running toilet | £50-£100 |
| Water butt for garden | £30-£50 |
A focused effort could realistically save £150-£250 per year for a metered household. That’s one or two months’ water bills.