Drought Means More Efficient Water Use Is Urgently Required

1. www.waterwise.org.uk
Waterwise Press Release, 13 March 2012
Drought means more efficient water use is urgently required
Short-term emergency measures like hosepipe bans will help with this summer’s drought but
they won’t solve what may be a long-term issue. To meet water needs now and in the future we
need to start using water better, and we need to start now
The way to beat this drought is to help people and businesses, all over the country, at home and at work,
use water more efficiently. Hosepipe bans are one way of reducing short term use, but once those bans
are lifted, we still need people to be responsible with their water usage. Greater pressure on water
resources, due to a growing population, increasing per person usage and changing weather patterns,
means that even without a drought, the situation is unsustainable.
With this situation compounded by very dry weather over the past two winters, it’s not surprising that
some water companies have had to bring in restrictions on water use. Especially in the south and east of
England, where eighteen of the last 23 months have seen below average rainfall. The growing severity
of the problem underlines the need for more efficient use of water.
Waterwise would like to see an increase in metering to help people and companies measure and
manage their water usage. As well, all water companies could be doing even more to help people save
water in their homes and businesses. In Britain we use an average of 150 litres per day whereas in
Germany and France they use 125 and 110 litres per person per day.
Simple water-saving devices and a few small changes to our daily routines could add up to big savings
and help tackle drought, protect the environment and save us money. For tips on how to use water more
efficiently see www.waterwise.org.uk/pages/quick-tips.html
Jacob Tompkins, Managing Director
“A hosepipe ban doesn’t mean an end to gardening, it just means using water more efficiently (like using
a watering can) and choosing plants that aren’t thirsty all the time.”
“Hosepipe bans are an important part of reducing water use, but smart water use shouldn’t stop in the
garden. Simple things, like shorter showers, only washing dishes and laundry with a full load, and turning
off the tap when brushing our teeth, can actually make a big difference.”
“Water companies have done good work on water efficiency, but not on a large enough scale. If we had
delivered larger-scale retrofits to bring per capita consumption down to the government aim of 130L per
person per day, instead of the current average of 150L per person per day, then the situation would look
a lot different.”

2. Notes to Editors
Waterwise is an independent, not for profit, non-governmental organisation focused on decreasing water
consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency. We are the leading authority
on water efficiency in the UK. Our aim is to reverse the upward trend in how much water we all use at home and at
work. For more information please visit www.waterwise.org.uk
Contact:
Ryan Millar
Communications Manager
0203 4632 402
rmillar@waterwise.org.uk
rd
3 Floor, 89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP