With millions of households set to pay more on their annual water bills, it’s worth understanding the best ways to reduce your usage.
Water prices in England and Wales are expected to rise by an average of £19 a year between 2025 and 2030, water regulator Ofwat has announced.
Here are some gadgets you need to drastically cut your water bill
Unless you pay a fixed amount for your water bill, your monthly or yearly bill will be based on the amount of water you use.
However, if you use a water meter there are ways you can make significant savings using a few simple devices, usually costing less than £10.
Some are available free of charge from water companies.
An added benefit is that using less water means you won’t need to heat it as much, which can reduce your gas and electricity bills.
Luckily, there are some handy gadgets that can help you cut down on your usage.
Here are some items worth having in your home.
Water storage tank
A water tank is usually a plastic container that connects to your home’s gutters to collect rainwater from your roof.
The collected water can then be used to water your garden instead of relying on a hose or outdoor tap.
A standard garden water tank can store up to 200 litres of rainwater at one time.
Over the course of a year, it can capture as much as 85,000 litres of water that would otherwise be wasted on the roof.
Thousands disgusted by ‘coffee-black’ water coming out of their taps
Saving just 5,000 litres of water per year could reduce your annual bill by £15.
DIY stores such as Homebase and Screwfix sell water tanks for around £30-40.
Water saving shower head
Another easy way to cut down on your water bill is to switch to a more efficient showerhead.
Larger showerheads use up to 15 litres of water per minute, while more efficient models cut that amount in half, to around 6-8 litres.
A family of four could save up to £70 a year on their hot water bill by switching to gas.
Having a water meter could save you £115 a year on your water bill.
Ask your water company if you can get a more efficient showerhead for free.
You can also buy a new one for £10.
Make sure your showers are no longer than four minutes, and you’ll save money as well as water.
Shaving off just one minute in your shower could save you £128 a year.
Save the flash
If your toilet has an older style push flush system, replacing it with a Save the Flush or Hippo toilet bowl can save 1.2 litres of water.
This equates to a water savings of 50 to 60 percent per use.
The device fits inside the water tank and drains some of the water.
Some water companies offer these free of charge to customers so be sure to check with your supplier.
Modern toilets often have a dual flush system, but many of these systems are prone to leaks, wasting water, and aren’t cost-effective.
If your toilet is continually flushing, your system is leaking and needs to be repaired.
Additionally, many people tend to press both flush buttons on a dual toilet or use the larger flush when it is not necessary.
Simply switching to a smaller sized flush toilet could save you £100 a year.
Water saving aerator for taps
If your faucet is leaking or you need to upgrade your faucet, look for a more water-efficient model.
Modern faucets generally use less water than older faucets.
Our top tip is to attach an aeration device to the end of the nozzle, which will make it appear as though you are using more water when in fact you are using less.
These devices are easy to install yourself and are available free of charge from your water company.
You can also buy them from DITs and bathroom companies for around £5, saving you around £36 a year.
What water bill assistance is available?
It’s always worth checking whether you’re eligible for discounts or extra support to help you pay your water bills.
More than two million households eligible for discounted social water tariffs are not claiming the discounted rate, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
Currently, only 1.3 million households pay social water tariffs, up 19% from the previous year.
And the average household who is eligible for water bill discounts could save £160 a year on their water bill.
All water companies have social tariff schemes to help lower prices for low-income earners and CCW is urging customers to take advantage of these before their rates increase in April.
Who is eligible for assistance and the level of assistance offered will vary by water company.
Most suppliers also have funds to distribute to thousands of customers who are also under pressure from rising costs, but they don’t have to pay it back.
These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds and provide a vital lifeline when faced with rising water bills.
The exact amount you receive will depend on where you live, your supplier and your personal circumstances.
Many water ratepayers across the country can get help paying off their water bill debts or even have their balances written off through a little-known program.
The company will match what eligible customers owe on their accounts and help them pay off their debts early.
If you have a water meter but find it difficult to conserve water because you have a large family or a medical condition that requires water, you may be able to use the WaterSure scheme to cap your water bill.
Bills are capped at supplier averages so savings will vary.
The Consumer Council for Water estimates that the scheme will reduce bills by an average of £307.
Bucket and sponge
If you are considering washing your car, using a hose will typically use 400-480 litres of water, which will increase your water bill.
Using a bucket and sponge instead will reduce water usage significantly.
For example, if you replace your hose with a bucket when washing your car once a month, you will typically only use 32 litres of water.
This is based on an average of four buckets per car.
If you don’t already have a bucket at home, you can buy one from B&Q for just £1.
Trigger Hose
If you use a hose to water your garden or wash your car, consider installing a trigger hose on the end of the hose.
These little gadgets can be bought from any DIY or gardening store for under £10 and allow you to control the output.
This means that the water isn’t running continuously, but can be turned on and off as needed.
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