Saving water saves rivers
The simple message of the Rivers on the Edge project is that we must all waste less water if we’re to save our precious freshwater environment and make sure it’s able to withstand the impacts of climate change.
But how?
Well, there are obvious first steps. About 28% of water is lost during the pumping, transport and treatment process – which means for every glass of water we fill from our taps, we take 1.4 glasses from the natural environment.
To reduce this, Ofwat has introduced targets for water companies to cut the amount lost.
But we can all take steps at home to reduce the amount of water we waste every day.
Rivers on the Edge will be working in partnership with Waterwise – the UK's leading water efficiency NGO – to deliver our water efficiency goals.
Making our homes water efficient
Many people find it hard to think how they can save yet more water – already 47% of us turn off the tap while brushing our teeth and 37% have a shower instead of a bath, which can help.
Our challenge is to help people understand why we need to save water and to provide convenient ways for them to do so.
It’s perfectly possible, and not too hard, to make every home (new or old) water efficient.
But some of the biggest savings can made without needing to change our behaviour at all. Many easily available devices are high-impact in terms of water saving but low-impact on bathroom aesthetics!
For example:
- fitting a dual-flush toilet can save up to 7 litres of water for every single flush.
- an aerated shower head (which breaks up the flow to make it more spread-out and ‘fizzy’) can save 75% of water compared with a standard shower.
- for gardeners, installing a rainwater collection butt can save up to 5 litres of tap water per day.
And look into getting a water meter – people with meters generally use 10-15% less water than those who don’t!
We also mustn't overlook the link between water saving and energy efficiency: 6% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from domestic water use – so save water, save energy. (The average household could save £200 per year by saving water.)
(Thanks to Waterwise for the facts and figures.)
WWF’s Rivers on the Edge project will:
- encourage people to save water by helping them understand the impacts of water use, and by reconnecting them with its natural sources
- work with the water industry to introduce efficiency schemes, retrofit thousands of homes with water efficiency appliances, and improve water management.
- urge the government to introduce incentives for the water industry to meet Defra’s Future Water target of 130 litres per person per day (the current average is 148 litres a day – that’s roughly one tonne of water each every week!).
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Dowload the full report
Rivers on the edge report
Our partners
WWF would like to acknowledge support and input from:
Action for the River Kennet
Artesia Consulting
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Charles Rangeley-Wilson
Waterwise
Professor Rob Wilby, Loughborough University