Water Saving Tips

It’s easy to feel disconnected from rivers and view them as nothing more than water flowing through the landscape.

In reality, rivers are thriving ecosystems that sustain diverse wildlife, support vital habitats and play a crucial role in human health and wellbeing.

Every time we turn on the tap - whether for drinking, cooking, or washing - it’s rivers that supply the water. A running tap may suggest an endless supply, but in reality, water is a finite resource. The Environment Agency warns that within 25 years, England may not have enough water to meet demand. The pressures of climate change, population growth, and poor resource management are placing our water supply at serious risk.


That’s why water conservation is central to our Education Programme, which we deliver in schools across the region. Beyond education, many of our projects work directly with landowners to help rivers and landscapes hold more water naturally. Through Natural Flood Management (NFM) techniques - such as scrapes, leaky dams, tree planting, and tackling non-native invasive species (INNS) - we can slow the flow of water, reduce flood risk, and store water where it is needed most. These measures not only safeguard our rivers and communities but also build climate resilience for the future.

Our Water Footprint


While only 10% of freshwater is used in our homes, we draw on vast amounts for industry (20%) and agriculture (70%).

To ensure there is a plentiful supply of clean, fresh water for generations to come, we all need to think carefully about the water we use, both directly and indirectly. The less water we use, the more water remains available in the environment for wildlife and ourselves.

Some tips to save water are below, more suggestions can be found on Waterwise, the leading independent charity championing the efficient use of water.


Kitchen

  • A full dishwasher on an eco setting is more efficient than washing by hand. Simply scrape and load – no need to pre-rinse for modern machines.
  • When rinsing vegetables or fruit, fill a bowl with water instead of leaving the tap running.
  • Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need to save both water and energy.
  • It takes a lot of water to produce our food but millions of tonnes of it is wasted each year. Aim to eat locally and seasonally and don’t throw away food unless you have to. More guidance can be found at Love Food Hate Waste .

Bathroom

  • Skip baths and take a quick shower instead. Aim for four minutes or less.
  • To avoid pipe blockages, only flush the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper - down the loo.
  • Remember to turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth.
  • A leaky loo can waste up to 400 litres of water per day. To detect a leak add a few drops of food colouring to your toilet cistern and don’t flush for an hour. If the food colouring is in the toilet bowl after an hour you have a leak – time to call a plumber!

Garden

  • Water butts are great. As well as holding rainwater which can help to prevent flooding, they are a free means to water your lawn.
  • Think about planting drought resistant species which don’t need watering. The RHS have some great suggestions.
  • Use bark or mulch to help to reduce evaporation.

Clothing and Technology

The clothing and technology industries are very water intensive. Consider buying items second hand and repairing or refurbishing wherever possible.