The average person in the UK uses 145 litres of water a day. That’s almost enough to fill two baths! We’ve got lots of information on how to save money on your water bill.

Save on hot water costs

Showers and baths account for around a quarter of a household’s water usage. Heating the water for these activities can make up 10-20% of energy bills. Washing dishes and doing laundry also require heated water, adding to these energy costs.

Opting for a shower instead of a bath can save around 40% of the water used, and consequently, the cost of heating that water. However, the water efficiency of your shower matters and how long you use it for – some power showers can use as much water as a bath.

To reduce costs:

• Only run washing machines and dishwashers when they’re full. This will save you about £11 a year for each appliance. One full wash costs much less than two half-full washes. If the appliance has an economy setting this will use less water and less electricity as well.
• Use a timer to monitor how long you spend in the shower (4-minute timers are often free from your water company). Cutting showering time to 4 minutes will save the average user around £115 a year if you’re using an electric shower, or £45 if it’s heated by a gas boiler.
• Consider replacing your showerhead for a water efficient version (costs start from £5). These will either aerate the water or reduce the flow but shouldn’t compromise on pressure. They can reduce the flow of water by a third and save £15 on your water bill (if metered) and £25 on your gas bill. (Be aware these showerheads are not usually compatible with electric showers, which are often already water efficient.)
• You can buy low-flow or aerating taps, or fit an aerating device to your existing taps (these cost around £5). Fitting a tap aerator can save £19 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Aeration forces air into the water stream, which reduces the volume of water passing through but not the pressure.

Where water is used in the home

The average person in the UK uses 145 litres of water a day (almost enough to fill one and a half baths). Here’s where water is used in an average UK home. (Figures from Energy Saving Trust.)

Shower	25%
Toilet	22%
Other (cold taps)	22%
Washing machine	9%
Bath	8%
Bathroom hot tap	7%
Kitchen sink	4%
Car and garden	2%
Dishwasher	1%

Save on general water cost

Cutting your total water consumption is particularly important if you pay for your water using a meter. A water meter reflects your actual usage and your bills will therefore be lower if you use less water.

Save water in the bathroom

Around 70% of our household water use happens in the bathroom. You can save water through simple behaviour changes and installing water-saving devices.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing.

Use toilet-leak detection tablets to check that water isn’t leaking from the cistern into the bowl. You can also just use food colouring or ink: add a few drops into the cistern to colour the water, wait 15 minutes (don’t flush!) and if the water in the bowl has changed colour it means you need to adjust the stop-cock.

Fix any dripping taps. Taps can drip a whole bathful of water every week.

Nearly a quarter of the water you use comes from flushing the loo. If you don’t have a dual flush toilet consider installing duel flush controls, or placing a water-saving bag (sometimes called a ‘hippo’) inside the cistern.

Save water in the kitchen

Wash up in a bowl, not the sink.

Wash fruit and veg in a bowl instead of under a running tap.

Thinking of a new washing machine or dishwasher? While all new appliances use much less water (and energy) than old ones, some are better than others, so check the small print to find the most efficient model. On average, you’ll save £53 a year by replacing an old appliance with a new B or C-rated one

Keep a bottle of tap water in the fridge. Waiting for the tap to run cold can waste more than 10L of tap water a day.

Save water in the garden

Hosepipes use a lot of water. So get a water-saving trigger for your hosepipe or use a watering can instead.

Fit a water butt to collect rain water. Many plants prefer rainwater to tap water, and some water companies can provide water butts quite cheaply, from around £20.

When washing your car use a bucket and a sponge.

Watering your plants in the morning or evening and using mulch around them will reduce evaporation.

More ways to save on hot water costs

Only run washing machines and dishwashers when they’re full. This will save you about £11 a year for each appliance. It’s cheaper to do a full wash every two days, than a half wash every day. If the appliance has an economy setting this will use less water and electricity.

Wash clothes at 30 degrees wherever possible, most detergents work perfectly well at this temperature, and you’ll save around £27 a year.

If your home has a hot water cylinder, you can save over £180 a year if it’s insulated. Also, make sure it is set to the correct temperature, and the timer is set appropriately. See our hot water cylinder advice sheet for more information.

Water meters

You may save money by going on a water meter, because it’ll mean that you pay only for the water you actually use, rather than paying a fixed amount.

The water meter calculator on this page could help you work out how much your household would save by having a water meter fitted: www.ccw.org.uk/water-meter-calculator.

Most water companies operate a 2-year trial period during which you can switch back to unmetered billing if you prefer. If a water meter can’t be fitted, your bill may be reduced based on an ‘assessed charge’ of your household situation.

Installing a water meter is usually free in England and Wales.

Social tariffs

Many water companies have special tariffs for customers struggling to pay their bills. You should contact your water company about these tariffs if:

• Your household receives benefits or is on a low income.
• You have a large family.
• Someone in the house has a medical condition that requires more water.
• You are in debt to your water company.

Also, your water company may hold a list of households who would be particularly affected if their water supply is disrupted. This list is usually called the Priority Services Register, and the support offered will vary. Speak to yours for more information.