The A to Z of saving water (part three)
N is for: nozzles
Fit trigger nozzles on the end of your hose to control the flow of water. Hozelock produces a range of suitable nozzles, with the ability to restrict flow to just 40 per cent – see Hozelock for details.
O is for: O-ring
According to Waterwise, a dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water per year, so get it fixed to cut back on your consumption. Fit an EcoSave Water Waste Alarm (£24.95, Ecocamel) to alert you to any leaks.
P is for: prioritise
Established shrubs and trees require no additional watering, so save your water for the other plants in your garden.
Q is for: quantify
Get a water meter fitted to help you determine how much water you’re using – you’ll also benefit by saving money as unmetered charges are far higher than metered ones.
R is for: rainwater harvesting system
If money’s no object, take a look at a professionally installed underground system, or boost your water supply by investing around £260 in a 700-litre tank that sits next to a wall (Harrod Horticultural).
Fact
Up to 85,000 litres of water can run off roofs each year.
Waterwise
S is for: showers
It’s believed showers use less water than baths, but power showers use up to 10 litres a minute, so cut the flow of water from your shower, try to spend less time with the water on (how about switching off the flow while you wash?) or check out tip ‘V’, below.
Fact
The average bath contains 80 litres of water.
Anglian Water
T is for: teeth
A running tap can use up to nine litres of water per minute. Either switch off the tap between rinsing the toothbrush or rinse your brush in a tumbler instead.
U is for: Universal Water Butt Soaker Hose Kit
Drip-feed your garden from your water butt with this kit that’s designed to be sunk into the soil, delivering a constant micro-supply of water to your garden. Prices start from £41.95 for a 15m kit (Harrod Horticultural).
V is for: Venturi Effect
This is the principle where you reduce the flow of a fluid by forcing it through a smaller gap into a lower pressure environment. This principle is behind eco-shower heads like the Mira Eco Handset (from around £38, Mira Showers), which can cut the flow of water to under five litres per minute. Should fit most showers – cheaper, less efficient versions are also available from the likes of Eco Camel and Flowpoint.
W is for: washing-up water
Don’t chuck your washing up water down the sink – if you use an ecologically sound washing-up liquid like Ecover (around £1.75 a bottle) you can use the waste water on your plants.
X is for: xeriscaping
the practice of designing a garden around drought-friendly plants that don’t require a lot of watering.
Y is for: yoghurt pot
Put a hole in the bottom of this or a similar plastic container, then “plant” it next to your plants – pour water into here and it’ll be directed down towards its roots.
Z is for: zero discharge
This is the principle of recycling all waste water in industrial processes, and can be extended to the home. Invest in grey-water recycling systems that can divert non-contaminated waste water into your toilet cistern or water butt.
Copyright BBC Countryfile magazine, and reproduced with kind permission of the editor.