How to save over £1,300 on your water bills by making four changes

The cost of living crisis means UK households are looking more than ever for ways to cut their bills. Saving water not only benefits the environment, it also benefits your bank account. Here’s how you can save money by reducing water usage

It’s Water Saving Week 2022, the annual event aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding water use and how water efficiency can help the environment and save us money.

According to a study by Water’s Worth Saving, the average person in the UK uses 142 liters of water a day, but 46% of people think their household uses just 20 litres.

The true numbers mean that an average family of four in the UK could be using over 500 liters of water a day.

With soaring energy prices and rising water bills, the cost of living crisis is affecting millions of households. But people across the UK can make small changes to save water, and it’s not just about protecting the environment.

In fact, conserving water in your home can also help you save money by reducing your energy and water bills.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW), an independent voice for water consumers in England and Wales, spoke to the Mirror about the benefits of saving water and revealed their top tips for reducing water consumption, which could save you over £1,000 a year.

How much money can you save by conserving water?

In February, Water UK announced that average water bills in England and Wales would rise by 1.7% in April, bringing the average water bill to £419 a year.

At the same time, energy bills for millions of UK households have soared due to an increase in the energy price cap. The increase means energy bills for around 18 million homes will rise by an average of £693 this year.

The massive surge has left millions of people looking for ways to cut their bills, and saving water is one way to save money.

Your water use also impacts your energy bills, so saving water can not only reduce your water bills but your energy bills as well.

Karen Gibbs, Senior Leader at CCW, spoke to The Mirror about the benefits of saving water. She said: “When we make a conscious effort to conserve water, we help reduce the pressure on the environment we take it away from and can also improve our finances.

“But almost two-thirds of us haven’t done anything to reduce our consumption in the last six months.”

How much money you can save depends on your household’s water use, but CCW’s tips for reducing water use have the potential to save you a whopping £1,330 a year.

The best tips for saving water

Water saving expert Karen spoke about how there are many simple ways to save water and money. She told The Mirror: “There are so many easy ways to save – whether it’s taking shorter showers or opting to use a watering can instead of a hose.

“Much of the water we use at home comes from the hot water tap, which means we can also take some of the heat out of rising energy bills.”

CCW shared some of their top tips for saving water and reducing your bills, here they are.

1. Take shorter showers – Much of the water we use at home comes from the hot water tap. That means if you have a water meter, you can also double the water and energy savings. If each person in a family of four cut their daily shower time in half from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, they could save nearly £700 a year.
2. Test a water meter – About four in ten homes in England and Wales still don’t have a water meter, but you might be better off with one. CCW’s water meter calculator can help you figure out if you could save, and those who can lower their bill by switching typically save around £200 a year.
3. Check for leaking toilets – A single leaky toilet wastes between 200 and 400 liters of water per day on average. Having a meter can add over £430 to your water bill each year, so checking for leaks can help you avoid those costs.
4. Fish for freebies – Your water supplier should be able to provide you with a package of free water saving devices that can help you save around the house. Water companies also offer virtual or in-person visits with free advice on how to save water at home.