Water is a precious resource and we have a tendency to take it for granted. It's one of our basic needs, essential for life, and vital for the economy. We can only access 0.3% of the world's water, even though it covers almost 75% of the surface.
Although we think we have a wet climate, high population density means that some parts of the country have less water available per person than many Mediterranean countries. The UK also experiences more extreme weather patterns, with wetter winters and drier summers, meaning less water when we need it the most. We need to use water wisely and make the best use of the resources available (Environment Agency).
Liverpool Hope University consumed over 52,000 m3 of water (that's over 92 million pints) during the 2021-2022 academic year in its halls of residence, academic buildings, catering outlets and within the grounds at a cost of over £200,000. By making small changes, we can reduce the wastage of water, which will not only reduce the cost, but also minimise our impact on the environment. The link between water and our carbon footprint is not always made, but energy is required to treat and deliver water to our taps, and significant energy is required to heat the water for use (water is five times more expensive to heat than granite).
- Report dripping taps to Estates – leaking taps can waste at least 5,500 litres of water a year (that is equivalent to 9,675 pints!)
- Make sure taps are turned off after use – a running tap can fill a bath in 13 minutes
- Don't leave the tap running while you brush your teeth or wash vegetables
- Use a sink plug or bowl when washing dishes, don’t wash them under a running tap
- Only boil that water you need in a kettle - it will be quicker and save you energy as well as water
- Drink tap water, not bottled – the price of bottled water is up to 10,000 times the cost of tap water
- Keep a jug of cold water in the fridge to avoid running the tap – this can waste over ten litres of water per day
- Use the rubbish bin for rubbish – to avoid unnecessary flushing
- Buy water efficient products; all new washing machines and dishwashers have an European energy label, which tells you how efficient the appliance is at using water and energy. A++ is the most efficient
- Take quick showers instead of baths. Knocking one minute off your shower could save at least 2,500 litres of water a year. If everyone in the UK did this, it would be enough to fill all the reservoirs that supply London. Visit the Waterwise website for more details.
- Only use washing machines and dishwashers when full – a full load uses less energy than two half-loads
- The average roof collects 90,000 litres of water each year, more than enough to keep your water butt topped up to water your garden and houseplants
- When gardening, choose the right plants for the right conditions and keep the space weed free so you are watering only your plants.
- Water is now one of the highest global risk, with research suggesting that the world's water reserves will increasingly fail to meet demand over the coming years, leaving a third of the global population without adequate drinking water by 2025
- Clean water and sanitation is one of the UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030
- United Utilities estimate that one-third of the water we use is flushed straight down the toilet. By using the dual flush correctly, you can save six litres per day (approximately 300 buckets per year!) Visit the Waterwise website for more details
- On average, each of us uses 132 litres of water every day (at least twice as much as is needed)
- The average roof collects 90,000 litres of water each year, more than enough to keep your water butt topped up
- 16% of your energy bill comes from heating water
- Water is five times more expensive to heat than granite.
